News Summary
San Antonio faced severe flash flooding on Friday morning, leading to widespread disruptions and multiple high-water rescues during rush hour. Major roadways, including I-35, were significantly affected, with numerous vehicles stranded. The heavy rainfall, reaching up to 8 inches in the past 48 hours, has raised concerns about ongoing drought conditions despite the recent downpours. Emergency services were dispatched to assist stranded motorists, and while floodwaters are receding, the dangers persist on local streets.
San Antonio experienced significant flash flooding on Friday morning due to torrential rain, causing widespread disruptions and prompting numerous high-water rescues during the busy morning rush hour. The intense rains led to a Flash Flood Warning for the area, which was issued until 10 a.m. CT.
By 7:30 a.m., major roadways, including I-35, were severely impacted, with multiple cars stranded in high water as motorists attempted to navigate through the flooded streets. The San Antonio Fire Department reported receiving six calls for help involving vehicles stranded in the rising waters, although fortunately, no injuries were recorded. I-35, particularly near San Antonio International Airport, was closed in both directions.
The latest weather reports indicate that the powerful thunderstorms responsible for the flash flooding are beginning to weaken as they continue to move across Texas. Despite this, earlier storms earlier in the week had already caused extensive damage through high winds, hail, and flood conditions, which included severe power outages affecting thousands of residents.
Rainfall totals in the San Antonio area have reached as high as 8 inches over the past 48 hours, with around 3 inches falling within just six hours on Friday morning alone. This rapid accumulation of water can lead to dangerous conditions, as rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour can result in flooding on local streets. The National Weather Service emphasizes the extreme danger of flash flooding, noting it accounts for an average of 127 fatalities annually in the U.S. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult down, while a foot of floodwater has the power to carry a vehicle away.
Highway 281 South also faced challenges due to the flooding, with emergency services needing to rescue multiple vehicles caught in high water levels. Flood waters in the area have started to recede, but officials warn that low-water crossings remain hazardous and may pose additional dangers to drivers and pedestrians alike.
The rainfall comes at a time when San Antonio’s yearly precipitation totals stand at 8.12 inches, which is over 4 inches below normal levels. Prior to the current heavy rainfall, Bexar County’s reservoirs were also significantly below capacity compared to previous years, indicating an ongoing water scarcity issue. Despite the recent downpours, drought conditions continue to prevail in South Central Texas, further underscoring the critical importance of sufficient rain in combating long-term water shortages.
In summary, the flash flooding in San Antonio has resulted in substantial disruptions, highlighted by stranded vehicles and emergency rescues on major roadways. While the immediate weather threats appear to be easing, the challenges presented by the residual flooding and ongoing drought conditions remain a concern for local authorities and residents alike.
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Additional Resources
- KENS5 News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google Search: San Antonio flash flooding
- KSAT News
- Google Scholar: flash flooding San Antonio
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: flash flooding
- Fox San Antonio
- Google News: San Antonio flooding
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
