JERSEY HERO: COAST GUARD SWIMMER RESCUES 165 FROM DEADLY TEXAS FLOODWATERS
JerseyTalks StaffA 26-year-old Petty Officer ScottâŻRuskan, Jersey Native, has been hailed as an âAmerican heroâ for his pivotal role in the JulyâŻ4 flash-flood rescue at Camp Mystic in Central Texas.
đ What happened:
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Torrential rains on July 4 caused the Guadalupe River to surge ~26âŻft in mere hours, triggering catastrophic flash floods in Kerr County.
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Camp Mystic, a Christian girlsâ camp, was inundated overnight, stranding nearly 200 campers and killing dozens.
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Ruskan, a newly trained rescue swimmer, was lowered by MHâ65 helicopter and arrived solo as the only first responder on the ground.
His role & impact:
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He established triage and evacuation zones, coordinating with Army Black Hawks to airlift victims in groups.
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Over ~3 hours, he personally helped rescue and evacuate 165 people, comforting frightened children by holding their hands and directing them safely out.
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Ruskan has deflected praise, emphasizing that the campers, other crews, and multi-agency responders were the real heroes.
Current situation:
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As of July 7, at least 95 people have died in the flooding across Central Texas, with 41 still missing, including some from Camp Mystic.
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Recovery and rescue efforts remain underway involving local, state, and federal teams.
Why this matters:
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This mission was Ruskanâs first deployment as a rescue swimmer, and his grounded execution under intense conditions highlights the crucial role of on-site coordination.
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The extreme nature of the flash floodâwhich saw river levels rise dozens of feet within hoursâunderscores the perilous environment responders faced.
Scott Ruskanâs actions are a powerful reminder of the Coast Guardâs bravery and quick response in humanitarian crises. His story also sheds light on the urgent need for improved flood warnings and preparedness in flash-flood-prone areas like Texasâs Hill Country.