Multiple acts of heroism emerged from the recent Texas flooding along the Guadalupe River, where young camp counselors and a devoted father risked — and in one case, gave — their lives to save others.
Among them was 27-year-old Julian Ryan, a father of three, who died after helping his fiancée, children, and mother escape their flooding home on July 4. As water quickly filled the house, Ryan broke a window to create an escape route, but the glass severed an artery in his arm. Despite his injuries, he ensured his family’s safety before succumbing to blood loss. His final words were, “I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.” His body was found hours later.
“He died a hero,” his sister said. A GoFundMe campaign for his family has raised over $88,000.At Camp Mystic in Kerrville, Emma Foltz, a college student grieving the recent loss of her mother, led 14 young girls to safety during the flooding. She’s been praised for her courage and calm leadership.At another nearby Christian camp, 19-year-old Mexican counselors Silvana Garza Valdez and María Paula Zárate saved 20 children by moving them to higher ground and marking their names on their arms to prevent anyone from going missing. “We prayed and told them everything was going to be okay,” Valdez said.Texas Governor Greg Abbott and others have commended these selfless acts amid a tragedy that claimed at least 27 lives, with search efforts ongoing.