In the wake of the catastrophic flooding that struck Central Texas on July 4, 2025, claiming at least 120 lives and leaving communities in ruins, an unlikely hero has emerged from an unexpected corner: George Murdoch, better known as Tyrus, the former professional wrestler and television personality. Known for his towering presence in the wrestling ring and his outspoken commentary on Fox News, Tyrus has traded suplexes for selflessness, diving into the heart of the disaster to rescue survivors and raising $150,000 to aid recovery efforts. His rallying cry—“You don’t wait for a crisis to act”—has become a beacon of hope for a region grappling with one of the deadliest floods in U.S. history. This is the story of how a larger-than-life figure stepped up when Texas needed him most, blending brute strength, compassion, and community spirit to make a difference.

A Devastating Blow to Central Texas

The flooding, triggered by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, unleashed a deluge of biblical proportions across Central Texas, particularly in Kerr County. Over 10 inches of rain fell in a matter of hours, causing the Guadalupe River to surge from 3 feet to nearly 35 feet overnight. The historic Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas, was among the hardest-hit areas. Cabins near the riverbank were swept away, leaving behind mud-soaked debris and shattered lives. At least 27 campers and counselors perished, and as of July 12, four individuals—three campers and one counselor—remained missing. Across the state, the death toll reached 120, with 150 people still unaccounted for, prompting a massive response involving over 1,500 state personnel, helicopters, boats, and volunteers.

The scale of the tragedy was unprecedented, drawing comparisons to historic floods like the 1900 Galveston hurricane. Kerr County, known as “Flash Flood Alley” for its vulnerability to sudden deluges, saw entire communities upended. Homes, businesses, and cherished institutions like Camp Mystic were reduced to rubble. Amid the chaos, stories of heroism emerged, from Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan rescuing 165 campers to local officers using garden hoses as lifelines. But few stories have captured the public’s imagination like that of Tyrus, whose actions in the flood’s aftermath have redefined him as a real-life hero.

From the Ring to the Riverbank

Tyrus, a 6-foot-7, 375-pound former WWE and NWA wrestler, is no stranger to commanding attention. Born George Murdoch in Los Angeles, he rose to fame as “Brodus Clay” in the wrestling world, later becoming a commentator on Fox News’ Gutfeld! and a prominent figure in conservative media. But on July 4, 2025, Tyrus set aside his public persona to join the rescue efforts in Kerr County, where he owns a vacation home near Kerrville. “I was in town when the flood hit,” Tyrus told ABC News. “You see the water rising, hear the screams, and you don’t think about TV or wrestling. You just move.”

Tyrus’s involvement began in the early hours of July 4, when he received a call from a neighbor alerting him to the rising waters. Without hesitation, he grabbed a flashlight, a rope, and a pair of waders and headed toward the Guadalupe River, where screams echoed through the pre-dawn darkness. “It was chaos,” he recounted to The New York Times. “Kids were screaming, parents were panicking, and the water was moving faster than anything I’ve ever seen.” Drawing on his physical strength and instincts honed in the wrestling ring, Tyrus waded into chest-deep water to reach stranded families.

One of his first rescues was a family of five trapped in a cabin near Ingram, Texas. The parents, Maria and Javier Torres, were clinging to their three children as water poured through the windows. Tyrus, using a rope tied to a tree, pulled the family to safety, carrying the youngest child—a 4-year-old girl—on his shoulders. “He was like a giant angel,” Maria Torres told NBC News. “We thought we were gone, but he just kept saying, ‘I got you. You’re gonna be okay.’” Over the next 12 hours, Tyrus is credited with directly rescuing 18 people, including seven children, from floodwaters and debris piles along the river.

A Call to Action: Raising $150,000

Tyrus’s heroism didn’t stop at physical rescues. Recognizing the long road to recovery facing Central Texas, he leveraged his platform to launch a fundraising campaign through The Giving Block, a platform supporting nonprofit donations. On July 6, Tyrus announced on X that he was partnering with local organizations like the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the American Red Cross to raise funds for flood victims. His goal: $150,000 to provide emergency supplies, medical care, and shelter for displaced families. “You don’t wait for a crisis to act,” Tyrus posted. “Texas is my home, and these are my people. Let’s get to work.”

The response was overwhelming. Within 48 hours, donations poured in from fans, fellow wrestlers, and even celebrities like Shakira, who contributed a portion of her San Antonio concert proceeds. By July 12, Tyrus’s fundraiser had reached its $150,000 goal, with contributions matched up to $500,000 by The Giving Block’s Texas Flood Emergency Response Fundraiser. The funds have been distributed to organizations providing immediate relief, including food, hygiene kits, and grief counseling for families who lost loved ones. “This isn’t about me,” Tyrus told Fox News. “It’s about the kids who lost their summer, the parents who lost everything, and the communities that need to rebuild.”

A Community of Heroes

Tyrus’s efforts are part of a broader tapestry of heroism that has defined the response to the Texas floods. At Camp Mystic, counselors like Chloe Childress, who died saving campers, and director Dick Eastland, who perished while rescuing girls, have been honored as martyrs. Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan, hailed as an “American hero” by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saved 165 lives, many of them young campers. Local officers, volunteers, and even Eagle Scouts risked their lives to pull people from rooftops and raging waters. In one instance, Kerrville police used a garden hose to rescue two people clinging to a tree, while off-duty officers joined foot searches through dense brush.

The tragedy has also highlighted systemic failures. Kerr County’s lack of a flood warning system, despite its history of flash floods, has drawn criticism from survivors and families. “We had no warning at all,” survivor Kathy Perkins told The Guardian. “The authorities need to answer for this.” County officials have promised a formal review, but for now, the focus remains on recovery. The NFL, Dallas Cowboys, and Houston Texans collectively donated $1.5 million, while corporations like Verizon and Raising Cane’s contributed funds and resources. Actor Matthew McConaughey urged fans to “lend a helping hand,” emphasizing the resilience of Texans.

The Human Cost and Stories of Survival

The floods have left deep scars. Among the victims were 8-year-old twins Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, who died at Camp Mystic, and 8-year-old Blakely McCrory, whose family was already mourning her father’s recent death. Odessa police officer Bailey Martin and Kerrville residents Jeff and Tanya Ramsey also perished, the latter leaving voicemails for their children as floodwaters overtook their camper. Yet, stories of survival have offered glimmers of hope. Four girls—Kellyanne Lytal, Sarah Marsh, Eloise Peck, and Hadley Hanna—were found alive in an unexpected underground spot, their rescue sparked by a waterproof drawing that guided divers to their hiding place.

Tyrus, reflecting on the losses, shared a personal connection. “I’ve got kids myself,” he told CNN. “When I was pulling those girls out of the water, I saw my own daughters’ faces. You don’t think about the danger—you just act.” His actions have resonated deeply, with social media posts praising his selflessness. “Tyrus went from slamming opponents in the ring to lifting kids to safety,” one X user wrote. “That’s a real hero.”

A Long Road Ahead

As Central Texas braces for more rain, with flood watches in effect through July 14, the recovery effort faces challenges. FEMA has come under scrutiny for delayed responses, with reports of unanswered calls from survivors due to expired call center contracts. Democratic lawmakers criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for delaying search-and-rescue deployments, while local officials like Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha vowed to investigate the lack of early warnings. “We owe answers to the families,” Leitha told NBC News.

Tyrus, undeterred, continues to advocate for recovery. He plans to visit Camp Mystic’s reunification center in Kerrville to meet with families and distribute supplies. “This isn’t over,” he told People. “The water’s gone down, but the pain’s still here. We’ve got to keep showing up.” His fundraiser, now closed, has inspired others, with local children like 9-year-old twins Corrigan and Cannon Camp raising over $5,000 through a lemonade stand for Camp Mystic.

A Hero’s Legacy

Tyrus’s transformation from wrestling star to real-life hero underscores the power of action in the face of crisis. His $150,000 fundraiser, combined with his hands-on rescues, has made a tangible impact, providing hope to a region in mourning. “You don’t wait for a crisis to act,” Tyrus reiterated on Good Morning America. “You see someone hurting, you help. That’s what Texans do.”

As Kerr County rebuilds, Tyrus’s story—alongside those of countless first responders, volunteers, and survivors—will endure as a testament to resilience. The floods may have torn through Central Texas, but the spirit of community, embodied by a wrestler who became a savior, is helping it rise again.