News Summary
San Antonio, Texas has endured historic flash floods resulting in at least 11 fatalities. Severe storms led to overwhelming rainfall, raising the San Antonio River’s levels and affecting many neighborhoods. Rescue operations have saved over 70 individuals, but power outages and closed roads complicate recovery efforts. The community is rallying to support victims’ families while emergency services remain on high alert for potential further flooding.
San Antonio, Texas has been struck by devastating flash floods that have claimed at least 11 lives, with search and rescue operations ongoing to locate several individuals still unaccounted for. The catastrophic flooding resulted from severe storms that produced an unprecedented amount of rainfall, affecting the area in ways not seen in over a decade.
Early Thursday morning, residents experienced dangerous conditions in the Perrin Beitel neighborhood, where the flooding was particularly severe. Just after 5:00 a.m. local time, the San Antonio Fire Department began receiving numerous water rescue calls as floodwaters quickly rose. In the aftermath, an estimated 15 vehicles were swept away by the floods near the northeastern area of Interstate 410.
Rescue operations have successfully saved over 70 individuals from rising waters since the early hours of Thursday, although four of those rescued have been hospitalized with minor injuries. Tragically, three deceased individuals have been identified as Martha De La Torre Rangel, age 55; Victor Manuel Macias Castro, age 28; and Matthew Angel Tufono, age 51.
The San Antonio River experienced dramatic water level changes, increasing from approximately 3 feet to over 25 feet within a short span of two hours. This rapid rise in water levels coincided with severe rainfall, recording 5.6 inches in just three hours after midnight, with nearly 4 inches falling within a single hour. This weather event marked Friday as San Antonio’s second-wettest June day on record and the seventh-wettest day overall since records began in 1942.
Additionally, the storms that contributed to the flooding also resulted in two confirmed tornadoes touching down in Hays County, Texas, leading to various degrees of structural damage in the area. This broader weather system has posed numerous hazards across the region.
The local community has come together in support of the victims’ families, demonstrating solidarity and compassion in the face of tragedy. Mayor Ron Nirenberg conveyed condolences, emphasizing the city’s commitment to supporting those affected by the floods.
Rescue operations have involved K9 units and coordination with a statewide urban search and rescue force, further illustrating the complexities of the situation. Local reports have indicated extensive vehicle entrapment, and numerous roads across Bexar County remain closed due to the resulting flooding. Emergency services have described the rescue efforts as challenging, with responders facing swift-moving water and rapidly changing conditions.
The flooding has also resulted in significant power outages, impacting over 57,000 customers across Texas as a consequence of the storm’s effects. With waterways still swollen from the torrential rains, flood threats are anticipated to persist into the weekend, prompting continued vigilance among emergency services and residents alike.
As rescue efforts continue, the San Antonio community remains on alert for further developments while grappling with the aftermath of this devastating weather event.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Severe Flooding in San Antonio Leaves at Least 11 Dead
Severe Flooding in San Antonio Leads to Tragic Loss of Life
Severe Flooding in San Antonio Leads to Tragic Loss of Life
Severe Flooding in San Antonio Claims Lives
San Antonio Faces Devastating Flash Flooding
Tragic Flash Flooding Claims Lives in San Antonio
Severe Flash Flooding Hits San Antonio, Four Dead
San Antonio Hit by Deadly Flash Floods
Additional Resources
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- The Weather Channel
- Google Search: San Antonio flooding
- CNN
- Google Scholar: San Antonio flooding
- The Weather Channel Video
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio flooding
- KENS5
- 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.
