Camp Mystic Families Sue Texas Health Officials Over Evacuation Failures as Trump Honors Coast Guard Rescuer at State of the Union
Families of victims of the July 2025 Camp Mystic/Hill Country flood are suing Texas health officials, alleging failures to enforce the camp's evacuation plan that contributed to the deaths of 135 people, including 27 girls and counselors. At the 2026 State of the Union, President Trump honored U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan — credited with directly saving 165 people and serving as the on‑scene triage coordinator during the floods — presented him the Legion of Merit and arranged a public reunion with 11‑year‑old survivor Milly Cate McClymond.
📌 Key Facts
- President Trump used the 2026 State of the Union to single out U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Petty Officer Scott Ruskan for his role in the July 2025 Camp Mystic/Hill Country flood rescues.
- Trump announced Ruskan will receive the Legion of Merit for 'extraordinary heroism' tied to those rescues.
- Officials and reports credit Ruskan with directly saving 165 people during the July 2025 Texas Hill Country floods and note he served as the only triage coordinator on scene.
- Trump brought an 11-year-old survivor, identified as camper Milly Cate McClymond, to the State of the Union and arranged a public reunion with Ruskan in the House chamber, described as their first public reunion.
- The presentation and reunion were framed against the broader tragedy of the July 2025 floods, which killed 135 people, including 27 girls and counselors at Camp Mystic for Girls in Hunt, Texas.
- The award presentation and reunion occurred during the State of the Union address, where the president highlighted Ruskan's rescues as part of his remarks.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
February 25, 2026
5:47 AM
Trump recounts daring Texas flood rescue, reunites camper with Coast Guard swimmer at SOTU
New information:
- Identifies the rescued child as 11‑year‑old camper Milly Cate McClymond and describes Trump reuniting her with Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan during the State of the Union.
- Specifies that Ruskan directly saved 165 people in the July 2025 Texas Hill Country floods and served as the only triage coordinator on scene.
- Confirms that Trump used the State of the Union to present Ruskan with the Legion of Merit for his role in the Camp Mystic/Hill Country flood rescues and describes the moment as their first public reunion.
- Reiterates the death toll from the July 2025 flooding — 135 people killed, including 27 girls and counselors at Camp Mystic for Girls in Hunt, Texas — as context for the honor.
3:40 AM
WATCH: Trump awards Camp Mystic rescue swimmer with military award
New information:
- President Trump used the 2026 State of the Union to single out U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Petty Officer Scott Ruskan for helping save 165 people during the Camp Mystic flood.
- Trump announced Ruskan will receive the Legion of Merit for 'extraordinary heroism' tied to those rescues.
- The president brought an 11‑year‑old survivor of the Camp Mystic disaster to the speech and arranged a public reunion with Ruskan in the House chamber.
February 24, 2026