Brave Coast Guard Reveals Harrowing Moments During Rescue of 200 Campers in Texas Flood Tragedy

A U.S. Coast Guard member who played a critical role in saving more than 200 children from a Texas summer camp during last week’s deadly floods has opened up about the intense and emotional rescue operation.

The catastrophic flooding, caused by relentless rainfall that sent the Guadalupe River surging over its banks, has so far claimed at least 91 lives, with many still missing. The devastation has swept through vast parts of Texas, leaving behind a trail of wreckage and grief.

One of the most heart-wrenching scenes unfolded at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp nestled in Kerr County along the river. The camp was overwhelmed by the rising waters, turning what should have been a carefree summer retreat into a desperate race for survival.

In a somber message shared last week, Camp Mystic wrote, “Our hearts ache for the families enduring this heartbreaking loss. We are lifting them in constant prayer. We’re also incredibly thankful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from the community, emergency teams, and officials at every level.”

According to CNN, 27 campers and staff have been confirmed dead, with another 11 individuals — including 10 young campers — still missing. However, without the fast action and courage of 26-year-old Coast Guard member Scott Ruskan, the loss of life could have been even more devastating.

Ruskan, who hails from New Jersey, detailed his experience in an emotional interview on Good Morning America, describing how he became the sole responder on the ground at one point during the crisis.

“I ended up staying at Camp Mystic while my team went to support other areas,” Ruskan said. “It quickly became clear that I was the only first responder there, and I had nearly 200 children in front of me — frightened, freezing, and facing one of the most traumatic days of their young lives.”

Acting swiftly, Ruskan set up two helicopter landing zones — one on a soccer field, the other on an archery range — to facilitate air evacuations. He coordinated the safe transfer of over 165 individuals from the flooded camp to safety.

“I relied heavily on my training,” he said, crediting the Coast Guard’s elite rescue swimmer program. “Every rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard is trained to handle situations like this, and honestly, any of them would’ve done the same — or even better — than I did.”

Despite his heroism, Ruskan shifted the praise toward the children themselves.

“They didn’t care who I was or what my background was. To them, I was someone who showed up when they needed help the most. And I had to honor that,” he said. “But honestly, the ones who truly showed courage were those kids. They were going through something unimaginable, and they stayed strong. That strength motivated me to keep pushing forward.”

Thanks to Ruskan’s decisive actions and the efforts of fellow first responders, many families were reunited that day — though the emotional scars will linger long after the floodwaters recede.