Texas flood survivors share stories of heroism amid search for missing

As officials continue to confirm deaths and search for those missing after the Texas Hill Country floods on Friday, locals have started to share stories of incredible acts of bravery and heroism amid a weekend of anguish.

Julian Ryan and his fiancé Christina Wilson were at their home in Ingram, when water began rushing through the doors.

As the water was quickly rising, Ryan, 27, punched through a window to get Wilson, their children, and his mother out of the flooded house, according to Houston outlet KHOU-11.

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Wilson told the outlet the glass cut one of Ryan’s arteries and his arm was badly injured. Calls to 911 went unanswered.

“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,’” Wilson told KHOU-11.

Ryan is being remembered as a “true hero,” who was dedicated to his family, according to a GoFundMe created for the family.

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Erin Burgess, who lives in Ingram, told FOX 29 San Antonio she wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for her teenage son.

Burgess said that water poured into her home within minutes, forcing her family to seek refuge outside. They hung onto a tree for an hour before water fell low enough for her to hike to a neighbor’s house, the outlet reported.

She credited her 19-year-old son, who is more than 6 feet tall, with saving her life.

“That’s the only thing that saved me, was hanging on to him,” Burgess said.

PARENTS DESPERATELY SEEKING ANSWERS ON MISSING CAMPERS AFTER TEXAS FLOOD

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday issued a proclamation declaring Sunday a “day of prayer,” in response to the floods.

“Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience,” Abbott wrote in a statement. “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.”

Here are some of those still missing, as of Saturday night.

Greta Toranzo

Greta Toranzo’s mother, Ellen Toranzo, told Fox News Digital her daughter is still missing after being lost in the floods at Camp Mystic.

As of Saturday afternoon, Ellen said she had not received word of her daughter’s whereabouts.

The photo her mother provided was taken at the camp just a few days before the flood.

Hadley Hanna

Carrie Hanna told Fox News Digital that her daughter, Hadley, remains missing after the floods at Camp Mystic.

The photo Carrie provided to Fox News Digital was taken shortly before Hadley left for camp, on her last day of school.

Mike and Charlene Harber

Grandparents Mike Harber, 76, and Charlene Harber, 74, are missing after the Texas floods, according to a report from affiliate FOX 4 Dallas. 

The couple’s granddaughters, Brooke and Blaire Harber, were visiting them at the time and have been found dead.

Robert and Joni Brake

Robert and Joni Brake, of Abilene, Texas, were reportedly staying at the HTR Campground in Kerry County and are missing following the floods, according to FOX 4.

 

Rob and Melissa Kamin

Rob and Melissa Kamin, from the Houston area, have also been reported missing after staying at the HTR Campground in Kerry County during the floods, FOX 4 reported.