San Antonio Floods Claim Lives, Disrupt City
The flooding has caused widespread destruction, with 15 vehicles swept away and multiple homes and businesses damaged. The city's emergency services are working tirelessly to respond to the crisis, and the search for missing persons continues.
Devastating flash floods hit San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday morning, resulting in at least 11 deaths and several people still missing, with heavy rain and flooding sweeping away multiple vehicles and trapping drivers in high water.
The San Antonio Fire Department responded to 70 calls for high water rescues, with 10 people rescued from trees and bushes and 4 taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The flooding, which dumped 6.11 inches of rain in just 24 hours, is the second-wettest June day on record for the city. The storm also knocked out power to over 57,000 customers and caused multiple structure and transformer fires.
Rescuers are searching for at least four missing people, and officials expect the death toll to change. Over 70 water rescues have been performed, with four rescued individuals taken to hospitals with minor injuries. The search is focused on two areas: Salado Creek and Leon Creek near Highway 90 and Callaghan Rd. Bodies were recovered at various locations, including Beitel Creek, with one victim found a mile away and another downstream.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Democratic House Representative Joaquin Castro have expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The Texas Game Wardens and San Antonio police homicide unit are assisting the rescue efforts. Search dogs have been deployed to assist in the search, and the San Antonio Fire Department has requested assistance from Urban Search and Rescue teams to aid in the search efforts.
As the city begins to recover from the devastating floods, residents are coming to terms with the loss of life and property. The community is rallying around the affected families, and officials are working to provide support and resources to those in need.