Context:

In the aftermath of deadly floods in Central Texas, Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan played a pivotal role in saving 165 individuals at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp near the Guadalupe River. This rescue operation was part of a larger effort involving over 1,700 emergency responders from various agencies, working tirelessly to locate and save those unaccounted for amidst the devastation. Despite challenging weather conditions and poor visibility, Ruskan and his team navigated to the camp, where they coordinated the evacuation of nearly 200 campers and staff using multiple helicopters. His decision to remain on the ground allowed for additional evacuees to be transported, and he provided crucial emotional support to the terrified campers. As search efforts continue, officials remain committed to recovering all missing persons, although hope is waning as time progresses, with President Trump having declared a federal disaster to assist the recovery efforts.

Dive Deeper:

• Scott Ruskan, a 26-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer, was deployed to Central Texas to assist in rescue operations at Camp Mystic, where catastrophic floods had endangered the lives of hundreds of campers and staff. This was his first rescue operation, and he was part of a crew tasked with evacuating the camp, which hosted approximately 750 girls during the session.

• The journey to the camp was fraught with difficulty due to poor weather and visibility, taking nearly six hours from Corpus Christi to San Antonio. Despite these challenges, Ruskan played a critical role in saving 165 people, utilizing helicopters to evacuate those stranded by the rising waters.

• The rescue operation at Camp Mystic was part of a larger state-wide effort involving over 1,700 responders, utilizing helicopters, drones, boats, and ground vehicles to locate and save missing individuals. Several harrowing survival stories emerged, including a woman clinging to a tree and a girl floating on a mattress for hours.

• Ruskan's decision to stay on the ground allowed for more evacuees to be transported via helicopter, as he became a key figure in providing triage and emotional support to the campers. Many were found in pajamas, cold, wet, and desperately seeking news of their friends, highlighting the chaos and urgency of the situation.

• The floods have resulted in at least 81 fatalities, including 28 children, with over 40 individuals still missing. Texas officials have pledged to continue search efforts until all missing persons are accounted for, and federal disaster assistance has been granted to support the ongoing recovery operations.