Heroic Coast Guard Officer Saves 165 Kids from Texas Floods

Quick Smiles:

• A Coast Guard officer bravely rescues 165 children from Texas floods.
• Challenging conditions couldn’t deter this determined rescuer.
• Recognized as an “American hero,” he humbly credits his training.

In a remarkable act of bravery, a Coast Guard officer emerged as a beacon of hope during the recent Texas hill country floods. Petty Officer and rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan, originally from New Jersey, found himself at the center of a life-saving mission, rescuing 165 individuals from the rising waters.

The deluge was triggered by an intense rainfall of 5–11 inches, causing the Guadalupe River to overflow its banks. This was Ruskan’s first rescue mission, yet he displayed remarkable composure and quick thinking.

Ruskan flew to the scene in a helicopter, responding to urgent calls from Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls directly in the flood’s path.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by “a huge crowd of about 200 kids at a campsite.”

“We were like, ‘Cool, that’s where we’re going to go and get out as many people out as we can,’” Ruskan recounted.

The rescue operation was fraught with challenges. Tropical Storm Barry created some of the worst flying conditions he had ever encountered.

Ruskan noted that the pilot had to make four attempts before successfully landing the helicopter.

“There was no other way to get them out,” he explained. “Bridges were gone, roadways were gone, and the water was coming up too high for boat rescue.”

Communication was virtually nonexistent, as “cell service was bad” and “radio reception was bad,” leaving Ruskan isolated from the outside world for about three hours.

Despite these hurdles, he stayed focused, guiding groups of 10 to 15 children to safety via army helicopters.

His efforts did not go unnoticed. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised him as “an American hero” on social media.

Yet, in true hero fashion, Ruskan humbly stated he was merely doing his job, a task “anyone” could have undertaken.

In the face of adversity, his actions stand as a testament to the power of courage and dedication.

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