News Summary
A devastating flooding incident in San Antonio has led to the loss of 13 lives following record rainfall exceeding 6 inches. Emergency rescues were overwhelmed as many victims became trapped in their vehicles. Local officials are now calling for infrastructure improvements to prevent future tragedies. The community mourns the victims while seeking answers regarding the systemic issues that contributed to this disaster.
San Antonio, TX – Devastating flooding on June 12 has resulted in the tragic loss of 13 lives in San Antonio, following record rainfall that drenched the area with 6.37 inches of rain, marking the wettest day since May 2013. The flooding caused perilous conditions, trapping many victims in their vehicles and leading to emergency responses exceeding 200 from local authorities.
Among the deceased was 67-year-old Carlos Valdez III, who was swept away by floodwaters while attempting to return home from work. Valdez’s vehicle became overturned near Perrin Beitel and Austin Highway. His daughter, LeeAnn Valdez, shared that his sister was also in the car but managed to escape by breaking a window. The family has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses for Carlos Valdez III.
Additional victims included Rudy Garza, who spoke to his wife moments before he was swept away, and Christine Gonzalez, a firefighter engaged to be married. Gonzalez was reportedly on the phone with a coworker when she was overwhelmed by the floodwaters. It was noted that most of the fatalities occurred around 5 a.m., with 10 of the 13 victims trapped in their vehicles during the early morning chaos.
The floodwaters led to widespread road closures, and first responders faced severe conditions while conducting numerous water rescues. All confirmed victims have been located, though one individual remains unidentified pending notification of their next of kin. The Bexar County Medical Examiner released the names of several victims, including Martha De La Torre Rangel, Victor Manuel Macias Castro, and Matthew Angel Tufono.
The flooding has raised serious concerns regarding the infrastructure in the city, prompting city council members to advocate for investment in improved flood control and drainage systems. Local officials have emphasized that these enhancements are necessary to help prevent similar tragedies in the future, particularly in light of climate change’s potential role in exacerbating flooding risks.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg and other local officials have expressed their condolences to the families affected by this disaster and have commended first responders for their dedication and quick actions during the crisis. The community is now faced with grieving the loss of loved ones while seeking answers regarding the systemic issues that contributed to such a devastating event.
This recent flooding incident has left a profound impact on the San Antonio community, reminding residents of prior floods that similarly wreaked havoc throughout the area. As families continue to seek closure, the city will likely engage in discussions about long-term solutions to mitigate future flooding risks as part of a broader conversation on infrastructure enhancement in the wake of this tragedy.
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Additional Resources
- KENS5 News
- Wikipedia: Flood
- KSAT News
- Google Search: San Antonio flooding 2025
- USA Today
- Google Scholar: San Antonio flooding
- ABC News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio floods
- News 4 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.
