U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan, a 26-year-old rescue swimmer on his first operational mission, helped evacuate 165 people from Camp Mystic after flash floods swept central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend. Homeland Security officials said the life-saving tally is the largest recorded in the disaster to date. Ruskan and three crewmates from Air Station Corpus Christi—flying the MH-65E Dolphin helicopter designated Rescue 6553—battled heavy turbulence and poor visibility to reach the girls’ summer camp once the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in less than two hours. With roads washed out, Ruskan stayed on the ground to triage the group and guide arriving Army Black Hawk and additional Coast Guard aircraft, enabling nearly 200 people in total to be airlifted to safety. State authorities report the Hill Country deluge has killed more than 100 people statewide, including at least 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, and left scores missing. The mission formed part of more than 850 high-water rescues carried out across the region since 4 July. The Coast Guard has since awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses to Ruskan and pilot Lt. Ian Hopper and Air Medals to co-pilot Lt. Blair Ogujiofor and flight mechanic Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Reeves. The White House and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the operation as a model of inter-agency response, while search teams continue to scour the Guadalupe River basin for the missing.