As deadly floodwaters swept through parts of Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, stories of devastation and survival began to emerge — none more heartbreaking than that of 27-year-old Julian Ryan.
Acted fast
Julian was home in Ingram, Texas, with his fiancée Christina Wilson, their two young children — just six years and 13 months old — and his mother when the flash floods hit at around 4 a.m. Friday morning. What began as a normal night turned into a nightmare as their trailer filled with water in a matter of minutes.
With no time to wait for help, Julian acted fast.
He punched through a window to give his family a chance to escape to the roof. But in doing so, he severed an artery — an injury his fiancée said nearly took his arm off.
“By 6 o’clock my husband was dead,” Christina told KHOU 11. “He had lost all of his blood. He looked at me and the kids, my mother-in-law and said, ‘Sorry I’m not going to make it, I love y’all.’”
His words were his final goodbye.
Julian’s heroic act helped save his entire family. Christina, their children, and Julian’s mother all survived thanks to the opening he created. But the cost was unbearable.
“He gave everything”
When the waters finally receded, Christina found Julian’s body. It took hours before officials were able to recover him.
His mother, still processing the loss, called her son “the hero of this story.”
“He gave everything so we could live,” Christina added.
Julian’s death is just one of at least 82 reported so far across Texas due to catastrophic flooding.
Authorities say more than a month’s worth of rain fell in just a few hours, sending rivers like the Guadalupe surging as high as 26 feet. 28 of the victims were children.
Kerr County, where Julian lived, was among the hardest hit.
Texas has since declared a state of emergency. Officials have deployed over 100 troopers, rescue boats, helicopters, and high-water vehicles across the region.
Among the heroes was U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Petty Officer Scott Ruskin, who personally saved an incredible 165 people during the catastrophic flooding.
“They’ve worked all day — rescues, high water vehicles, boats, rescue divers,” said Col. Freeman Martin of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Governor Greg Abbott vowed, “We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plane, whatever is needed, is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person.”
President Trump also acknowledged the crisis, calling it a “terrible thing,” and promising support: “It looks like some young people have died.”
For Julian’s family, the grief is fresh — but so is their determination to ensure his sacrifice is never forgotten. They’re now calling for improved warning systems like flood sirens to prevent future tragedies.
“He shouldn’t have had to die,” Christina said. “But he saved us.”
A GoFundMe set up to support the family has already raised over $88,000.
Julian Ryan didn’t wear a cape. He didn’t ask for recognition. But in a moment of chaos, he chose love and courage. And that makes him a true hero. 💔
