The San Antonio area is grappling with the severe aftermath of flash flooding caused by widespread storms Wednesday night into Thursday morning, which dumped 3 to 8 inches of rain across Medina, Bexar, Comal, Hays, and Guadalupe counties. As of 2 p.m. Friday, the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) has confirmed 10 fatalities, and multiple people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

Flooding remains a serious concern, particularly along the Medina River through Friday and the San Antonio River south of the city through the weekend. Residents are strongly urged to continue exercising extreme caution and to never drive through barricaded or flooded roadways, reiterating the critical message: "Turn Around, Don’t Drown."

Emergency Response and Search Efforts

Search and rescue operations are intensified, with concentrated efforts at Salado Creek near Perrin Beitel and Leon Creek near Highway 90 and Callaghan Road. SAFD has deployed canine units and requested additional support from Texas A&M Task Force 1, a highly trained search and rescue team consisting of 40 personnel. These teams are conducting detailed ground searches across creek beds, low-water crossings, and debris fields.

Since the onset of the flooding event, SAFD has responded to:

• More than 70 water rescues
• 16 high water investigations

The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) is actively supporting SAFD’s efforts by providing scene and perimeter security, conducting death investigations through its Homicide Unit (including next-of-kin notifications), processing crime scenes, and monitoring phone lines for calls related to missing loved ones.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed his condolences, stating, “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. I want to personally thank our San Antonio first responders and their families for their sacrifices toward the recovery efforts. Erika and I will be praying that those who are missing are found without harm.”

Information for the Public:

• If you are missing a loved one who may have been impacted by the flood, please call SAPD at 210-207-4817.
• If you were able to escape floodwaters and abandoned your vehicle, please contact SAPD at 210-207-4817 to ensure your safety is confirmed.

Infrastructure Impacts and Road Conditions

The Public Works department reports 18 roadway closures due to debris and potential pavement damage. Of the city’s 141 low-water crossings, at least 15 sites show possible structural damage. Two crossings, Vicar Drive at Beitel Creek and Old O’Connor Road, have sustained significant damage and will remain closed pending full assessments. Cleanup and repair work is currently underway. For a comprehensive list of closures, residents can visit the City’s Street Closures map.

Cooling Centers

City-operated cooling centers remain open during normal hours at local libraries, community centers, and senior centers to provide relief. More information and a map of these centers are available at SA.gov/HotWeather.