Amid the deadly floods that struck the Guadalupe River region in Texas, stories of extraordinary heroism have emerged. One of the most moving involves 27-year-old Julian Ryan, a father of three who gave his life to save his family. When flash flooding overwhelmed their riverside home early on July 4, Ryan acted quickly, helping his fiancé, Christinia Wilson, their children, and his mother to safety.

As waters rose rapidly inside their home, Ryan broke a window to create an escape route, severely injuring his arm and severing an artery. Bleeding heavily, he managed to help his family flee before collapsing. His final words were, “I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.” His body was found hours later, after the waters receded. His loved ones remember him as selfless and heroic. A GoFundMe for his family has raised nearly $88,000.

At Camp Mystic in Kerrville, counselor Emma Foltz helped evacuate 14 girls to safety, despite having lost her mother just weeks earlier. Her bravery earned praise from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who called her “a true light in the storm.”

Heroism also came from two 19-year-old counselors from Mexico, Silvana Garza Valdez and María Paula Zárate, who saved 20 children during the flooding at a nearby Christian camp. As waters rose around 1 a.m., they wrote each child’s name on their arms with permanent marker to ensure no one was lost, then moved them to higher ground while keeping them calm with prayer and reassurance.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott honored their courage, saying their love and bravery made all the difference. The floods have devastated the Texas Hill Country, with at least 27 people confirmed dead and over 20 still missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.