Coast Guard’s heroic rescue profiled.
The devastating Texas floods claimed dozens of lives, but one Coast Guard member pulled off a rescue that’s nothing short of legendary.
Devastating floods detailed.
Across the state, entire communities were swallowed by rising waters, as torrential rains overwhelmed the Guadalupe River.
Among the dead: 27 campers and counselors, per CNN. At least 11 remain missing.
“Our hearts are broken,” Camp Mystic wrote in a statement, thanking first responders for their efforts.
The Guadalupe River’s sudden rise turned the idyllic Christian summer camp into a disaster zone within hours.
Parents were asleep at home. Camp staff scrambled. The water moved too fast to evacuate everyone in time.
The girls’ camp has operated for over 100 years, beloved for its riverside location and spiritual focus.
Nestled on a floodplain, the camp has long faced seasonal risks, but no one expected this level of devastation.
Aftermath of floods unveiled.
Officials have confirmed 10 campers and 1 counselor remain unaccounted for, days after the floods hit.
Dive teams and sonar units are scouring the riverbanks for survivors and victims.
Heartbroken parents continue to wait by the river’s edge, hoping for news no one wants to hear.
Hashtags like #CampMysticStrong and #TexasFloodRescue are trending nationwide.
The camp’s Christian mission has grounded survivors in a collective call for strength, healing, and hope.
Cities across the state remain underwater, with property loss numbers still climbing.
Lifesaving mission explained.
Scott Ruskan, just 26 years old, was the lone first responder on-site when disaster struck Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
“I discovered I was the only person there,” Scott told Good Morning America, recalling the sheer chaos.
With 200 frightened children stranded, cold, and crying, Ruskan made split-second calls that changed everything.
The New Jersey native recalled the kids’ faces—wet, panicked, and exhausted—as the river surged around them.
Ruskan’s team was dispatched rapidly—he happened to be on duty when the 911 calls began pouring in.
With no time to lose, Ruskan cleared an archery field and a soccer pitch for helicopter evacuations.
“We were able to land those 60s in there,” he said, referencing the massive Coast Guard helicopters.
“I was the main guy grabbing people,” he said, describing how he personally guided campers to safety.
“We get some of the highest level training in the world,” Scott shared. And it showed.
“We get some of the highest level training in the world,” Scott shared. And it showed.
He brushed off the hero title, saying any one of his teammates could’ve—and would’ve—done the same.
“The real heroes were the kids,” he insisted. “They were dealing with the worst times of their lives.”
Ruskan said the kids didn’t care about his title—they trusted him because they had no choice.
The pressure of that trust pushed him to perform under terrifying, high-stakes conditions.
Clips of his GMA interview have racked up millions of views in just 24 hours.
While modest in tone, Ruskan’s actions have earned him near-universal admiration online.
The search isn’t over yet.
Despite the heroism, the nightmare isn’t over. Texas officials say the death toll may still rise.
“I just want those kids safe,” he said. “All of them. That’s what matters.”
Without Ruskan’s calm in the storm, the death toll would almost certainly have been much higher.