News Summary
San Antonio is grappling with severe flash flooding that has resulted in at least five fatalities, with two individuals still missing. The unprecedented rainfall, amounting to 5.6 inches in a short time, has caused significant challenges for emergency responders. Rescue operations have been launched to save individuals caught in rising floodwaters, and many roads remain closed due to flooding. The city is now dealing with the aftermath as it slowly recovers from this disaster.
San Antonio is reeling from the devastating impact of flash flooding that has claimed the lives of at least five individuals, with two others still reported missing as rescue efforts continue. The heavy rainfall that triggered this severe flooding is unprecedented in the area, with similar rainfall not recorded in over a decade.
The torrential rains began early Thursday morning, leading to fatalities occurring near the Perrin Beitel neighborhood in northeastern San Antonio. Water rescues commenced shortly after 5:00 a.m. CDT, and emergency responders faced significant challenges, as floodwaters rapidly surged.
In total, fifteen vehicles were swept away by the rising waters. Ten individuals had to be rescued from trees and bushes, approximately one mile from where they first entered the flooded area. Among those rescued, four people required treatment for minor injuries. The San Antonio Fire Department has responded to over 70 water rescue requests since the onset of the emergency, with many high-water rescues requiring firefighters to navigate swift-moving floodwaters to reach those in distress.
The San Antonio River’s water level escalated dramatically, soaring from around three feet to over 25 feet in just two hours. Within a short timeframe, San Antonio received an astonishing 5.6 inches of rain, including nearly four inches falling in a single hour. This amount of rainfall has been categorized as a 1-in-50 to 1-in-100 year event. To put this in perspective, the city typically averages just over three inches of rain for the entire month of June.
Thursday’s rainfall ranks as the second-wettest June day on record in San Antonio and marks the seventh-wettest day overall since 1942. Previous record-holder for a single day’s rainfall remains April 25, 2013, with nearly 10 inches recorded. As nearby Victoria, Texas also faced flash flooding, there were no immediate injuries reported, though emergency services responded to around 25 calls concerning stranded motorists in that region.
As the floodwaters began to recede, concerns remained, particularly regarding ongoing river flooding. Meteorologists have pointed out that heavy rainfall events have intensified in recent years, a trend attributed to climate change that leads to heavier rain and subsequent flooding. Numerous flood warnings remain in effect across southern Texas while water levels slowly decrease.
In San Antonio, more than two dozen roads were closed due to flooding, posing significant challenges to transportation in the area. The National Weather Service has highlighted persistent concerns regarding flooding along parts of Leon Creek, Salado Creek, and several rivers in the vicinity. The storms resulted in power outages, affecting over 57,000 customers across Texas.
In addition to water rescues, the San Antonio Fire Department was also mobilized to respond to multiple structure fires and transformer fires ignited by the severe weather conditions throughout the night. As the community gathers strength in the wake of this disaster, emergency services continue to work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio flooding
- CNN
- Google Search: San Antonio flooding
- The Weather Channel
- Google Scholar: San Antonio flooding
- NBC News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio flooding
- Fox 7 Austin
- 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.
