Tragic Flooding in San Antonio: 5 Lives Lost and Dozens Rescued Amid Rising Waters

Five people tragically lost their lives in flash floods that hit San Antonio early Thursday. Around 5 a.m., heavy rains caused several cars to be swept off the Loop 410 access road into Beitel Creek, according to the San Antonio Fire Department.

In total, 19 individuals and 15 vehicles were caught in the rushing waters. First responders managed to rescue ten people, while two managed to escape on their own. Sadly, three people are still unaccounted for.

The fire department reported that there were over 65 water rescues throughout the city. Most involved rescuing drivers trapped in their cars due to rising waters. Some rescues were particularly dangerous, involving swift-moving currents that posed serious risks.

The flooding affected major highways, with sections of I-35 submerged at midday. Six inches of rain fell at the international airport, marking the region’s largest single rain event in more than a decade. Wind gusts reached 60 miles per hour in some areas, and reports of penny-sized hail emerged from Grey Forest, along with a small tornado causing minor damage near Wimberley.

Around 30,000 residents lost power during the storm. Utility crews worked quickly to restore electricity, successfully bringing power back to most, leaving about 8,500 still in the dark by noon.

Interestingly, this severe weather contrasts sharply with the prevailing drought conditions in San Antonio, which has been ongoing for six years. With the weekend approaching, locals should expect mostly sunny weather, though there’s a 20% chance of more showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. on Friday.

This weather event highlights a growing concern about climate impacts in the region. Increasingly, weather patterns are unpredictable, and flash floods have become more common. According to a recent report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), parts of Texas have experienced a 15% increase in heavy rainfall events over the last 50 years.

As communities continue to recover, it’s essential to reflect on disaster preparedness and safety measures. With climate change at play, understanding how to better prepare for extreme weather is crucial. For more insights on climate impacts, you can read more from sources like NOAA and the National Weather Service.

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