Ruskan said, he was the only rescuer on site and had no communication due to poor radio reception and no cell service. But any fear he had, he pushed aside to focus on his young charges.

Flash flooding will remain a localized threat in central Texas through midweek, even as storms carry slightly less moisture than on Independence Day.

Across central Texas, survivors described harrowing escapes from rising floodwaters as torrential rain triggered deadly flash flooding that swept away everything in its path.