SAN ANTONIO (BN24) — At least 11 people are confirmed dead and several others remain missing after torrential rain triggered catastrophic flash flooding across San Antonio, Texas, USA, early Thursday morning, prompting a widespread search-and-rescue operation that continued into Friday, city officials said.
The storm struck before dawn, when nearly 8 inches of rain fell within just a few hours, overwhelming creeks, roads, and drainage systems, the National Weather Service reported. Fueled by a potent upper-level trough, the system swept across central Texas, spawning two confirmed tornadoes in Hays County while dumping relentless rain on the San Antonio metro area.
San Antonio’s fire and police departments, joined by Texas A&M Task Force 1 — a FEMA-affiliated national search and rescue team — are combing flood-ravaged zones for the missing, particularly along Salado Creek near Perrin Beitel Road and Leon Creek.
“These teams are conducting detailed ground searches across creek beds, low-water crossings, and debris fields,” the fire department said in a statement.
The worst flooding struck just after midnight Thursday, when at least 15 vehicles were swept into rapidly rising waters around Perrin Beitel Road. According to the weather service, ten people were rescued — some pulled from treetops — and two others managed to escape the floodwaters on foot. One of the recovered victims was found nearly a mile downstream from the road.
More than 70 water rescues have been carried out since the flooding began, officials confirmed Friday. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus described scenes of sudden inundation, where floodwaters surged with little warning, overwhelming roadways and catching drivers off guard.
“These are low-water crossings where the depth and speed of the water are incredibly deceptive and dangerous,” McManus said.
Among the missing is Stevie Richards, 42, who was on his way to work when he called his wife, Angela Richards, saying his vehicle had stalled and begun to float. Then the line went dead.
“I could hear whatever the car hit and then the water taking over the car,” she said. “And that’s the last I heard.”
As emergency crews worked through floodwaters and debris, the National Weather Service confirmed that two tornadoes touched down near Wimberley, roughly 60 miles northeast of San Antonio. Both twisters were rated EF0 with peak winds between 65 and 85 mph, leaving tree damage and minor structural impacts.
City officials reported that the deluge damaged 15 of San Antonio’s 141 low-water crossings, while 18 roadways remained closed Friday due to flood damage or lingering debris. The full extent of infrastructure damage is still being assessed.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed heartbreak over the unfolding tragedy and offered prayers for the families impacted.
“Our hearts are with the families of those we’ve lost to this week’s flash floods and the families who continue searching for their loved ones,” Nirenberg said in a statement. “Erika and I will be praying that those who are missing are found without harm.”
As the city braces for sweltering conditions — Friday’s high was forecasted at 107°F — officials also warned that rivers and creeks remained swollen and hazardous. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for portions of the San Antonio River and Cibolo Creek, both of which are expected to overflow their banks through at least Saturday morning.
“Floodwaters from heavy rains earlier this week continue to move downstream,” the agency cautioned in a hazards alert.
The full scope of the storm’s toll is still emerging as rescue crews press forward, navigating a dangerous and emotional aftermath.
