A Texas flooding hero brought the House chamber to its feet Tuesday night.
During his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump honored U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan for rescuing 165 people during last summer’s deadly flash floods in the Texas Hill Country.
In an emotional moment, Ruskan was reunited for the first time with an 11 year old girl he helped lift to safety.
A Devastating July 4 Disaster
The flooding struck central Texas over the July 4 holiday weekend. Historic flash floods tore through camps and communities, killing more than 130 people.
Among the victims were 27 campers and counselors. Several of those deaths occurred at Camp Mystic, a summer camp in the region.
The National Weather Service later described the storm as a historic event fueled by extreme rainfall over a short period. Federal disaster information is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Rescue That Saved 165 Lives
Trump told lawmakers that as floodwaters surged, 11 year old Milly Cate McClymond feared she would not survive.
“She thought she was going to die,” Trump said during the address.
According to the president, Ruskan descended from a Coast Guard helicopter and lifted Milly Cate to safety. He went on to rescue 164 others during the operation.
The U.S. Coast Guard later confirmed that Ruskan received the Legion of Merit for what officials described as extraordinary heroism. Details about Coast Guard commendations are outlined at the U.S. Coast Guard official website.
A Standing Ovation in the House
Lawmakers from both parties stood and applauded as Ruskan was recognized.
Trump called his actions “extraordinary heroism,” adding that people watching the rescue could not believe what they were seeing.
The emotional reunion between Ruskan and Milly Cate became one of the most talked about moments of the evening.
A Symbol of Service
Natural disasters have tested emergency responders across the country in recent years. The Texas floods were among the deadliest weather events in state history.
Ruskan’s recognition highlighted the risks first responders take during extreme conditions.
As flood survivors continue rebuilding, the moment served as a reminder that even in tragedy, acts of courage can save lives and inspire a nation.