Amid catastrophic flooding ravaging Texas, a young father’s final, gut-wrenching words are resonating across the country—capturing the devastation and quiet heroism born of disaster.
“I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,” 27-year-old Julian Ryan told his fiancée and children as he bled out inside their flooding trailer. Moments earlier, Ryan had smashed through a window with his bare hands—severing an artery in the process—to give his family a chance to escape the raging Guadalupe River waters.
🌊 A Family Trapped in Rising Waters
It was just after 4 AM Friday when Julian and his fiancée, Christinia Wilson, woke to the deafening sound of water surging into their mobile home in Kerr County, Texas.
With little time to think, the couple quickly placed their two young children—a 6-year-old and a 13-month-old baby—on a floating mattress and tried desperately to keep the incoming surge at bay.
But the force of the flood was unstoppable. When their bedroom door burst open, water gushed in and began swallowing the room.
✊ A Selfless Act of Heroism
In a desperate bid to save his loved ones, Ryan smashed a window with his bare hands, slicing open an artery and nearly severing his arm. Despite his critical injuries, the young father ushered his family out through the broken glass and into the violent waters outside.
Wilson told KHOU that she repeatedly called 911, but help couldn’t reach them in time. As the water rose higher, Ryan realized his own injuries were too severe to survive.
“He looked at us and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.’ Those were his last words,” Christinia recalled through tears.
🛟 Family Escapes, But Tragedy Strikes
Moments later, the trailer was ripped in half by the relentless current, freeing the rest of the family to swim to safety.
Ryan’s body wasn’t recovered until hours later, after the floodwaters began to recede.
“Julian gave his life for his family,” Christinia said.
“He was the best father—joyful, selfless, and always there to help anyone.”
💵 Community Rallies Around Grieving Family
A GoFundMe campaign set up to support Christinia and her two children has already raised more than $25,000 as of Sunday afternoon.
🕊️ Support the family here: [GoFundMe Link]
⚠️ Texas Flood Crisis Claims 52 Lives
Julian Ryan’s tragic death is just one of at least 52 fatalities caused by the ongoing flooding crisis across parts of Texas, which began after days of relentless rainfall.
Emergency officials are warning of more severe weather in the coming days as overworked first responders scramble to aid survivors and search for missing residents in hard-hit areas.
📸 Swipe to see the destruction:
- Tragic flood damage at Camp Mystic
- Homes and roads swept away by floodwaters
- Aerial shots of submerged neighborhoods
💬 What People Are Saying Online
Social media has exploded with tributes to Ryan’s sacrifice:
💔 “A true hero. He gave everything to save his family.” – Twitter user @heartTexan
🙏 “Rest in peace, Julian. You didn’t die in vain.” – Instagram comment
🌹 “His bravery will never be forgotten.” – Facebook post
🗨️ Your Turn
What are your thoughts on Julian Ryan’s heartbreaking sacrifice? Share your prayers and condolences for his family below.
🙏 Stay with The Pop Radar for breaking updates on the Texas flooding crisis.
