News Summary
Devastating flooding in San Antonio resulted in the confirmed drowning deaths of 13 individuals. Heavy rainfall caused significant disruptions, with many victims found in close proximity to major intersections. Emergency responders conducted searches for survivors amidst overturned vehicles. The tragedy has raised concerns about infrastructure and emergency preparedness amid changing climate patterns.
San Antonio Flooding Claims 13 Lives, Medical Examiner Confirms Drowning Causes
San Antonio experienced devastating flooding on June 12, resulting in the confirmed drowning deaths of 13 individuals. The widespread consequences of heavy rainfall led to significant disruptions, with multiple vehicles swept off roads and into creeks during the early morning hours.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office has reported that all victims died from drowning, although some experienced injuries from vehicle collisions with barriers, trees, and debris. Most of the victims were found in proximity to the intersections of Northeast Loop 410 and Perrin-Beitel Road, with others recovered at Callaghan Road and Highway 90, and Wurzbach Parkway. Eleven victims were discovered near the primary flooding zone, as efforts by emergency responders included searching overturned vehicles to locate any remaining survivors.
The identities of the victims have been confirmed and include: Derwin Anderson, Victor Manuel Macias Castro, Roseann Cobb, Martha De La Torre Rangel, Rudy Garza, Stevie “Wayne” Richards, Andrew Sanchez, Carlos Valdez III, Cristine Gonzalez, Esther Chung, Josue Pina De La Torre, and Brett Riley. Notably, deaths caused by asphyxia from drowning were reported for Cristine Gonzalez and Esther Chung, while Josue Pina De La Torre suffered from blunt neck trauma. Additional injuries were noted for victims Brett Riley and Matthew Tufono, who sustained blunt force injuries.
Many of the deceased individuals were en route to work or medical appointments, with some commuters, including one individual traveling to a dialysis session and another heading to the airport for a Father’s Day trip, caught in the unexpected deluge.
Details of the Flooding
The flooding was triggered by slow-moving thunderstorms that impacted the San Antonio area over the course of June 11 and 12, bringing over six inches of rain. During the storm, San Antonio International Airport recorded more than five inches of rainfall just between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on June 12, a dramatic amount within a short timeframe that exacerbated the flooding situation.
Government Response
In response to the tragic flooding, San Antonio and Bexar County have officially declared a disaster, enabling them to seek state assistance for recovery tasks and the restoration of essential services. To investigate the underlying causes of the flooding and explore prevention measures going forward, the city employed the national engineering firm Kleinfelder.
However, amidst the recovery efforts, the city government has attempted to withhold public records related to emergency responses and 911 calls connected to the flooding incident. The withholding of such records has raised concerns among community members about transparency in the city’s handling of the disaster response.
Conclusion
The San Antonio flooding serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of extreme weather events. The loss of 13 lives has sparked discussions on infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and community safety amidst changing climate patterns. The ongoing investigation will aim to ensure that proper measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Devastating Flash Floods Strike Texas Hill Country
Catastrophic Flooding in Central Texas Claims Lives
Tragic Flash Floods Hit Central Texas with Heavy Toll
Devastating Flooding Claims Lives in Central Texas
Tropical Storm Chantal Hits the Southeast U.S. Coast
Tragic Flash Flooding in Kerr County Claims Lives
Catastrophic Flooding Claims Lives and Traps Campers in Kerrville
Catastrophic Flooding in Kerr County, Texas
Heavy Rain Disrupts Fourth of July Celebrations in Central Texas
Catastrophic Flash Floods Devastate Central Texas
Additional Resources
- San Antonio Express-News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio Floods
- Reuters
- Google Search: San Antonio Texas Floods July 2025
- KTSA
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Flood Emergency Response
- KSAT
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Flood 2025
- Associated Press
- Google News: San Antonio Flood July 2025 Updates
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.
