News Summary
Following devastating floods that led to 13 fatalities, San Antonio residents are calling for urgent improvements to the city’s flood drainage systems. The tragedy has sparked outrage among families and community leaders who blame the city for inadequate flood prevention measures. As investigations continue, residents emphasize the need for better warning systems and infrastructure enhancements to prevent future disasters and protect their homes from flooding.
San Antonio residents are demanding urgent improvements in flood drainage systems following severe flooding that occurred more than two weeks ago, resulting in 13 fatalities. The tragic incident, which primarily affected the area around Austin Highway on Perrin Beitel, has sparked outrage and calls for action from grieving families and community leaders.
One of the victims, Carlos Valdez III, was laid to rest recently, leaving his daughter, Leeann Valdez, heartbroken and voicing her anger towards the city’s insufficient flood prevention measures. She blamed city authorities not only for her father’s death but also for the loss of others, urging enhancements to warning systems such as flashing lights that could help avert future tragedies. Valdez’s plea has resonated with many residents who are feeling the impacts of the flooding on a personal level.
City Councilman Marc Whyte acknowledged the need for the city to reevaluate its budget priorities amid a significant financial deficit. He noted that San Antonio’s drainage infrastructure is substantially lacking and stressed that maintaining and improving this crucial infrastructure should take precedence. District 10 has been identified as one of the regions most severely affected by the recent floods.
In the neighborhood of Dhaka View, residents have been struggling with flooding issues due to a clogged drainage system that has resulted in extensive property damage. Community members have rallied together to highlight these issues, leading to city crews beginning cleanup efforts after residents mobilized and brought attention to their plight through media channels.
Jonathan Clemena, a resident of the affected area, expressed frustration over the city’s delayed response to flooding incidents, noting that this particular event was the fourth time his community had faced similar challenges. He called for permanent solutions, such as cementing areas to ensure proper water flow toward drainage systems, to prevent erosion and safeguard homes from future flooding.
In response to the flooding event that occurred on June 12, city officials have launched a comprehensive investigation to analyze rainfall data, video footage from that day, and water detection data. Notably, a crucial flood gauge near Loop 410 was removed for construction, a move that experts warn could complicate flooding predictions and responses during significant rainfall events.
Nefi Garza, a member of the Stormwater Advisory Committee, pointed out that the absence of the flood gauge has made it challenging to trace the source of the flooding effectively. He suggested that advanced alert systems could have played a critical role in mitigating the disaster. Despite city officials asserting that they had conducted routine maintenance of drainage systems prior to the storm, including mowing and clearing debris, the absence of a vital flood-monitoring tool raises questions about the adequacy of these preventative measures.
In the past few years, various drainage projects have been completed in the San Antonio area by the city in partnership with Bexar County. Just days before the flooding, on June 9, city crews had carried out inspections of drainage culverts in anticipation of potential heavy rains. However, the resilience of these systems is now under scrutiny as residents voice their urgent demand for effective flood management strategies to avoid further tragedies.
As the investigation progresses, the city is expected to focus on several aspects, including reviewing flooding patterns and assessing emergency responses to the June 12 incident. The residents remain hopeful that the city will take decisive action to prevent such heartbreaking losses in the future.
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Additional Resources
- News4SA: San Antonio Residents See Action After Flooding Frustrations
- Wikipedia: Flood
- KSAT: New Videos from Deadly June 12 Floods
- Google Search: San Antonio Floods 2025
- FOX San Antonio: Family Urges City to Prioritize Drainage
- Google Scholar: Flood Management
- KSAT: Loved Ones Search for Answers After Deadly Floods
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio 2025 Flood
- News4SA: Construction Complicates Response to June Storm
- Google News: San Antonio Flood News
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.
