Jersey Hero: Coast Guard Swimmer Rescues 165 from Deadly Texas Floodwaters

A 26-year-old Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, Jersey Native, has been hailed as an “American hero” for his pivotal role in the July 4 flash-flood rescue at Camp Mystic in Central Texas.

🚁 What happened:

• Torrential rains on July 4 caused the Guadalupe River to surge ~26 ft in mere hours, triggering catastrophic flash floods in Kerr County.

• Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp, was inundated overnight, stranding nearly 200 campers and killing dozens.

• Ruskan, a newly trained rescue swimmer, was lowered by MH‑65 helicopter and arrived solo as the only first responder on the ground.

His role & impact:

• He established triage and evacuation zones, coordinating with Army Black Hawks to airlift victims in groups.

• Over ~3 hours, he personally helped rescue and evacuate 165 people, comforting frightened children by holding their hands and directing them safely out.

• Ruskan has deflected praise, emphasizing that the campers, other crews, and multi-agency responders were the real heroes.

Current situation:

• 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.

• Recovery and rescue efforts remain underway involving local, state, and federal teams.

Why this matters:

• This mission was Ruskan’s first deployment as a rescue swimmer, and his grounded execution under intense conditions highlights the crucial role of on-site coordination.

• The extreme nature of the flash flood—which saw river levels rise dozens of feet within hours—underscores the perilous environment responders faced.

Scott Ruskan’s actions are a powerful reminder of the Coast Guard’s 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 Texas’s Hill Country.