Tragedy in San Antonio: At Least 11 Lives Lost in Devastating Floods, Many Still Missing

At least 11 people have died due to severe flooding in San Antonio, with search efforts ongoing for more individuals. The city was hit hard on Thursday when thunderstorms caused significant flash flooding. The National Weather Service reported that two tornadoes touched down during this storm, adding to the chaos.

Authorities are particularly focused on Salado Creek and Leon Creek, conducting thorough searches with the help of the San Antonio Police Department and the Texas A&M Task Force 1, which is part of a national rescue network. They’ve already performed over 70 water rescues since the flooding began. Many of these rescues involved people stuck in trees or vehicles.

Angela Richards shared a heart-wrenching story about her husband, Stevie, who called her as his car began to float in the rising waters. “I could hear whatever the car hit and then the water taking over the car,” she recounted. Tragically, that was the last she heard from him.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus warned that the rapidly rising waters can be dangerously deceptive at low-water crossings. Images from the scene showed vehicles submerged and overturned. He praised the effort and response of the rescue teams, emphasizing the speed of the floodwaters.

The weather service confirmed that the tornadoes affected Hays County, causing winds between 65 and 85 mph. These tornadoes were categorized as EF0, a relatively weak classification, but still led to downed trees and minor damages.

The storm’s impact has been significant, damaging about 15 of San Antonio’s 141 low-water crossings and closing 18 roads due to flooding and debris. Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed sorrow over the losses. He and his wife, Erika, are hopeful for the safe return of those still missing.

As of Friday, the weather forecast included potential thunderstorms and a high temperature of 107°F. Flood warnings remain in place for parts of the San Antonio River and Cibolo Creek. Heavy rains earlier this week are anticipated to cause these rivers to swell beyond their banks this weekend.

In light of the rising incidents of extreme weather, experts suggest that climate change plays a role in such severe flooding events. A recent study shows that storms are becoming more intense due to shifting weather patterns. Communities are urged to prepare for these increasingly common extreme weather events.

For further information on disaster preparedness, you can visit the FEMA website.

Source link