Caney Creek High School alumna Claire Reese Manchaca remains missing since July 4 after the Kerrville flood waters swept her and three friends from their porch in Hunt around 5 a.m., leaving her family searching and adding to the hundreds of missing persons. They were last seen near 1769 State Highway 39 across from Japonica Hills Road.
The flooding began around 4 a.m. Friday, dumping up to 15 inches (38 cm) and overflowing the Guadalupe River more than 20 feet by 4:45 a.m.; Hunt received 6.5 inches of rainfall in just three hours. Ongoing rescues report over 50 deaths, including 15 children, but already evacuated 850.
Search
The search for Manchaca continues into the third day, along with Kelly High School graduates Aidan Heartfield, Ella Cahill and Joyce Badon. The home belonged to Heartfield’s father Thad Heartfield. The last string of contact was around 4 a.m. between Manchaca’s USTA roommate Joyce and Thad Heartfield as the group entered their attic fleeing from the rising water.
According to a CNN on-site interview with Joyce’s father Ty Badon, before passing the phone to Joyce, Aidan said, “I’ve got to help Ella and Reese.” Seconds before the phone died Joyce said, “They just got washed away.” The flood demolished the home and the cars were swept away.
“I was walking with my son and I thought it was a Mannequin,” Ty said, speaking on his search that morning. “It was a little boy; 8 or 10 years old. He was dead. We were just doing our walking, and we stumbled upon him. Hopefully we can find our daughter and her friends alive.”
According to Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, Montgomery County has several agencies on the ground currently assisting in rescue operations. In the meantime of the search, Manchaca’s family is staying in a nearby motel.
Machaca’s family chose not to be interviewed for the story at this time.
Donations
Keough encouraged supporters to donate to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country in charge of rebuilding and relief efforts.
“Our hearts are with our neighbors in the Texas Hill Country as they begin the long road to recovery after devastating flooding,” Keough wrote. “In times like these, Texans show up, because that’s who we are.”
