In the midst of one of the most devastating natural disasters to hit Central Texas in recent memory, a young Coast Guard swimmer stepped into the chaos for his very first mission—and emerged a hero. Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, only 26 years old and freshly trained, had never flown a real rescue operation before July 4th weekend, yet he saved 165 lives in one day.
As torrential rains hammered the region and caused the Guadalupe River to overflow, hundreds of campers, many of them children and elderly, became trapped at Camp Mystic, a beloved summer retreat in Kerr County. With roads submerged and cabins filling with water, fear spread quickly among those stranded. Emergency calls flooded the system, prompting a rapid, large-scale response from various agencies. Ruskan, stationed in Corpus Christi, was called up and quickly boarded a helicopter with his team, flying through dangerous weather over a landscape transformed by floodwaters. This was no simulation—this was the real thing, and it would push him to his physical and emotional limits.
Upon arriving near the flooded camp, Ruskan wasted no time. He jumped into action, assisting evacuees, setting up airlift zones, and guiding people—many of them barefoot and terrified—through muddy terrain to safety. He helped lift children into helicopters, supported elderly individuals through waist-high water, and calmed panicked parents clutching infants. Every movement was purposeful and steady, despite the surrounding chaos. Over several intense hours, Ruskan worked tirelessly, helping coordinate and execute the rescue of 165 people. He never paused for recognition or praise; instead, when later interviewed, he shifted the focus to others. “The real heroes were the kids and the counselors who stayed calm and stuck together,” he said with humility. Word of his actions spread quickly. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly praised him, saying his work was “an inspiring reminder of what selfless service looks like.” Social media buzzed with admiration, with many Americans calling Ruskan a symbol of hope and strength during a time of tragedy. But Ruskan himself never sought the spotlight.
“I was just doing my job,” he said. “They train you for situations like this, but nothing prepares you for the emotion—seeing kids cry, watching families hug each other when they realize they’re safe. That part hits hard.” As the floodwaters receded, the full scale of the disaster became clear. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, bridges were washed out, and communities were left in ruins. Dozens of lives were lost, hundreds of homes destroyed, and thousands of people displaced. Emergency workers continued searching for the missing and bracing for more rainfall as already-saturated ground posed a new threat. Amid this grim backdrop, stories like Ruskan’s stood out like beacons of light.
Survivors from Camp Mystic repeatedly shared their gratitude for the calm and capable young man who guided them to safety without hesitation. Parents spoke of how his steady presence gave them hope in the scariest moments of their lives. Children remembered how he smiled and reassured them, even when the sky seemed to be falling. What began as a single assignment for a rookie rescue swimmer quickly became a moment that captured the attention of an entire nation. Petty Officer Scott Ruskan’s first mission wasn’t just about getting people out of harm’s way—it was about showing what one person can do when they rise to the challenge with courage, compassion, and dedication. His story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest storms, there are individuals who choose to run toward the danger instead of away from it. And while Central Texas continues to recover and rebuild from the historic floods, Ruskan’s actions on that first day remain etched in the hearts of those he helped save, proving that heroism doesn’t wait for experience—it rises with purpose when people need it most.
