Joey Ayala tragically drowned in a flash flood while trying to drive home in Texas, leaving behind a heartbreaking final voicemail telling his children he loved them and to care for their mother—turning a devastating loss into a powerful message of love and sacrifice.

A devastating flash flood in Johnson County, Texas, has left a family shattered and a community mourning after a father of four, Joey Ayala, tragically lost his life while trying to drive home during a torrential storm.

The 44-year-old man was swept away by raging floodwaters on the night of July 4, 2025, leaving behind a heartbroken family—and a final voice message to his children that has since become a painful but cherished memory.

According to the Ayala family, Joey was driving along County Road 604 in the early hours of the morning when his vehicle became submerged in rising floodwaters following a sudden storm that dumped over six inches of rain in under two hours.

In a desperate moment, as the water surrounded him and escape became impossible, Joey managed to call his 15-year-old daughter and leave her a voicemail—one that would end up being the last time his voice was heard.

The message, filled with urgency and emotion, was heartbreakingly simple: “I love you all, take care of your mom.” Those were the last words Joey Ayala left his children, and they have haunted—and comforted—his family ever since.

His wife, Amanda Ayala, later told reporters that hearing his voice one final time was both devastating and beautiful. “He was thinking of us, even as he was dying,” she said through tears. “He was scared, but he made sure we knew he loved us.”

Emergency responders recovered Ayala’s body early that morning after a neighbor reported seeing a vehicle being swept into a creek.

Johnson County officials later confirmed his death, stating that the intense flash flooding had created sudden and unpredictable road hazards.

Several rural roads had become dangerous death traps overnight, catching residents off guard as the storm system barreled through North Texas.

Joey Ayala, a devoted father and longtime employee at a local manufacturing company, was known in the community for his kindness, work ethic, and unwavering love for his family.

Friends and neighbors described him as someone who would do anything to support others—always present at school games, volunteering at local events, and checking in on elderly neighbors during storms.

“He was our rock,” Amanda said. “He was the kind of dad who never missed a birthday, never went a day without reminding the kids how proud he was of them.”

The family has been overwhelmed by support from the local community, with friends organizing meal trains, crowdfunding efforts, and candlelight vigils to honor Joey’s memory.

A GoFundMe campaign launched by a family friend surpassed its $30,000 goal within two days, with hundreds of messages pouring in from people touched by Joey’s story.

But beneath the outpouring of support lies growing frustration and fear about the unpredictability of Texas’s increasingly severe weather events.

Flash floods have become more frequent and more intense, often occurring in areas not historically prone to such disasters. Local officials acknowledged the need for improved early-warning systems and better signage to alert drivers to potential flood-prone zones.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Amanda Ayala is now speaking out about flood awareness and emergency preparedness.

“If we had known the water was going to rise that fast, he would’ve stayed at work or found another route. We didn’t get any alert. He was just trying to get home.”

She hopes that sharing Joey’s story will help prevent another family from suffering the same kind of loss. “I don’t want him to be just another name in a news article. I want people to know what kind of man he was—and that this could happen to anyone.”

As Texas continues to deal with unpredictable summer storms, Joey Ayala’s story serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly disaster can strike.

His final act—reaching out to his children in the midst of unimaginable fear—has turned into a lasting message of love, one his family will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Though his life was cut short in a matter of moments, Joey Ayala’s memory now lives in the hearts of those he loved most—and in the voice that told them, one last time, just how much he cared.