At least 11 people have died and several remain missing after powerful flash floods swept through San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday and Thursday. The intense storm caused chaos across the city, sweeping cars off roads and forcing drivers into swollen creeks.
According to a local report, the flash floods caused the most damage around the Perrin Beitel neighborhood, where multiple victims were trapped in their cars around 5:00 AM local time on Thursday.
Search And Rescue Operation Launched In San Antonio
The San Antonio Fire Department has since launched a full-scale search and rescue operation. K9 units and statewide rescue teams have been deployed to locate at least four people still unaccounted for.
“We’ve performed over 70 water rescues so far,” city officials confirmed via their website on Friday. Four of those rescued had to be hospitalized with minor injuries, reports added.
Three of the victims have been identified as Martha De La Torre Rangel, Matthew Angel Tufono, and Victor Manuel Macias Castro. They were among those trapped by the floodwaters while driving during the early morning deluge.
One of the most heart-wrenching moments came from Angel Richards, who shared her terrifying experience. Her husband Stevie was caught in the flood on his way to work.
“It’s hard because I was on the phone when this happened, and then not to have a lot of communication, to see my car, it’s devastating to me,” she said. “No one can say to me, ‘Hey, this is what’s going on.’”
Social Media Reactions
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed sorrow on social media. “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,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Local Congressman Joaquin Castro also responded, calling the event a “tragedy.” He wrote, “My prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims of this week’s flash floods. San Antonio always stands together when tragedy strikes.”
Authorities say recovery efforts will continue in the coming days. The death toll may rise as crews search the flood-struck areas.
