Texas Floods Claim 50 Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Stories of Heroism
Floods in central Texas have killed 50 people, including 15 children, with dozens still missing. Kerr County was hardest hit. Stories of heroism emerged, including Julian Ryan, who saved his family before succumbing to injuries. Gov. Abbott declared a day of prayer for victims and responders.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The death toll from catastrophic floods that struck central Texas has reached 50, including 15 children, according to county officials cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday. Rescue teams continue to search for dozens of missing girls as devastated communities in the Texas Hill Country reel from the destruction.
Kerr County bore the brunt of the disaster, with 43 confirmed fatalities, while Travis County reported four deaths. Burnet County and Tom Green County reported two and one fatalities respectively, bringing the total to 50, based on a tally compiled by AFP using local government figures.
As emergency responders press forward with recovery efforts, poignant accounts of personal sacrifice and heroism have begun to emerge. Fox News reported that Julian Ryan, 27, and his fiancée Christina Wilson were in their home in Ingram when floodwaters burst through their doors. As the water level rose swiftly, Ryan broke a window with his bare hands to help Wilson, their children, and his mother escape.
Wilson told Houston’s KHOU-11 that Ryan sustained a deep laceration that severed an artery. “By 6 (a.m.), he looked at me and the kids and my mother-in-law and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,’” she recounted. Despite the injuries and the lack of emergency assistance due to overwhelmed 911 services, Ryan ensured his family’s survival.
A GoFundMe page now honors him as a “true hero” dedicated to his family.
Another moving narrative was shared by Erin Burgess, a resident of Ingram, who told FOX 29 San Antonio that she survived only because of her 19-year-old son.
“That's the only thing that saved me, was hanging on to him,” Burgess said, explaining how rising waters forced her family to cling to a tree for an hour before seeking shelter at a neighbor’s home. Her son’s height and strength helped her endure the harrowing ordeal.
In the wake of the tragedy, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation declaring Sunday a “day of prayer.”
His statement reflected the state’s collective grief and resilience: “Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience. Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort, and bring hope. In times of loss, we turn to God for comfort, healing and strength. I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday—for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines.”
As search operations continue, the full extent of the flood’s impact remains unclear. Authorities urge residents to exercise extreme caution, and the stories of Julian Ryan and others have become symbols of courage in the face of disaster.
