News Summary
San Antonio faced catastrophic floodingThursday, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and two missing. The sudden downpour resulted in swift water rises, leading to numerous rescues and extensive damage across the city. Tens of thousands lost power while emergency crews worked tirelessly to help those in peril. As the community grapples with the aftermath, questions regarding climate change’s impact on urban flooding intensify.
San Antonio experienced severe flooding on Thursday morning, resulting in the tragic loss of at least five lives and leaving two individuals missing. The unexpected downpour inundated the city, causing floodwaters to quickly cover roads and sweep away submerged vehicles, prompting frantic escapes as residents climbed trees for safety.
The fatalities were concentrated in the northeast part of San Antonio, particularly near the Perrin Beitel neighborhood. Authorities have reported that over a dozen vehicles are submerged, and photos depict numerous wrecked and overturned cars. The rapid increase in water levels posed significant risks, as many people were swept off access roads by what authorities described as “sudden fast rising water.”
San Antonio Fire Department officials confirmed that since early Thursday, they have conducted approximately 70 water rescues, with many calls for help beginning before sunrise. Among the recoveries were two women and two men, with their ages still undetermined. Furthermore, ten individuals were rescued from the area where the fatalities occurred, with four being hospitalized for injuries.
The flooding was exacerbated by a dramatic rise in the San Antonio River, which surged from about three feet to over twenty-five feet in just two hours. Experts have likened this event to flooding typically associated with tropical systems. The region received over seven inches of rain, including a staggering 5.6 inches within just three hours after midnight, an unprecedented amount for this time of year. This rainfall alone exceeds the typical total for both June and July combined and has been classified as a 1-in-50 to 1-in-100 year event.
In terms of historical context, this day is now recorded as the second-wettest June day and the seventh-wettest single day in San Antonio since records began in 1942. The rainfall led to the closure of over two dozen roads throughout the city, with low water crossings specifically closed down in Bexar, Comal, and Hays counties to prevent further incidents.
As a direct consequence of the severe weather, up to 57,000 customers lost power due to the conditions, which also included several power transformer fires. Local officials are urging residents to refrain from driving through flooded streets, as swift-moving water can be deadly. Emergency crews have described some of the rescue operations as harrowing while they navigated dangerous currents to assist those in need.
A search operation is currently underway for the two individuals who remain missing and are believed to have been swept away in the floodwaters. Authorities have deployed search dogs to aid in locating these individuals, as the community continues to rally for assistance.
Even as flash flood warnings have expired, the National Weather Service indicates ongoing flood threats in many locations. While conditions may improve, rivers still pose a significant risk for moderate flooding. The unprecedented rainfall and subsequent flooding have intensified the conversation regarding climate change and its impact, especially in urban environments, where nearly 90% of large U.S. cities have observed heightened hourly rainfall rates since 1970.
As San Antonio recovers from this natural disaster, the resilience of the community is being tested, and the focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and searching for those still unaccounted for.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio Floods
- CNN
- Google Search: San Antonio Floods 2025
- Weather.com
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Flooding Impact
- NBC News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Floods
- 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.
