Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Saves Over 200 Lives During First-Ever Mission in Texas Floods
A U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer is being hailed as a national hero after saving more than 200 people from the devastating flash floods that struck Texas over the July 4th weekend.
Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, an aviation survival technician 3rd class based in Corpus Christi, carried out his first mission with extraordinary bravery, becoming the only triage coordinator at the scene.
“This was the very first rescue of his career,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared Saturday on X (formerly Twitter). “His fearless dedication reflects the heart and purpose of the @USCG.”
Noem confirmed that Ruskan was directly responsible for pulling 165 people from floodwaters in Kerr County. The U.S. Coast Guard later clarified that while he led the direct rescue of 165 individuals, he assisted with triage and evacuation efforts for a total of 230 people at a local campground.
Disaster Unfolds Across Texas
The region was devastated after intense rainfall triggered flash flooding across central Texas, resulting in at least 104 fatalities. Among the victims were 27 children and staff members from Camp Mystic, a well-known all-girls Christian summer camp.
In Kerr County alone, the worst-hit area, the death toll includes 56 adults and 28 children. The Guadalupe River swelled by 26 feet in under an hour, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and entire campsites.
A Hero Emerges During Chaos
Petty Officer Ruskan was deployed to Camp Mystic, where he encountered a harrowing scene: hundreds of terrified children stranded in the rising waters.
“I saw a huge crowd — probably around 200 kids — huddled at a campsite,” Ruskan recalled during an interview on Fox & Friends. “We immediately said, ‘That’s where we need to go and get as many out as possible.’”
Speaking later to Good Morning America, Ruskan described the atmosphere as intense. “They were scared, cold, and overwhelmed. Probably the worst day of their lives.”
Despite it being his first operation, Ruskan relied heavily on the elite training Coast Guard rescue swimmers receive.
“Our training is among the most advanced in the world,” he said. “I just fell back on everything we’d been taught.”
Coast Guard Mobilizes for Rescue
The Coast Guard launched a multi-agency response early Friday, July 4, after receiving an alert from Texas A&M Task Force at 5:57 a.m., according to a press release.
In Leander, Texas, teams rescued three people and helped four others escape from a flooded mobile home community. Coordination with state and local agencies remains ongoing.
“Our top priority is saving lives,” said Capt. Ulysses S. Mullins, Chief of Staff for the Coast Guard’s Heartland District. “We’re working hand-in-hand with Texas authorities to ensure every asset is used efficiently and safely.”
Who Is Petty Officer Scott Ruskan?
Originally from New Jersey, Scott Ruskan graduated from Rider University in 2021 and joined the Coast Guard the following year. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has served as a rescue swimmer since 2022.
His incredible actions during the Texas floods have captured national attention, as the region begins the long road to recovery.