Late last week, the San Antonio area was struck by flash floods that have tragically resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, as confirmed by the San Antonio Fire Department over the weekend. This catastrophic flooding event began on Thursday, when the region experienced a record-breaking 6.11 inches of rain, including an astonishing 4 inches that fell within just one hour during the early morning hours, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
In the wake of this natural disaster, the fire department reported that they responded to over 70 water rescues, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Texas Public Radio noted that the fire department released the names of most of the victims on Saturday. However, they did not immediately respond to a request for additional information from NPR regarding the rescue operations.
Mack Morris, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, emphasized the unusual nature of this flooding, stating, "Over the last couple of years, we've been dealing with a drought. So we haven't had a lot of flash flooding occur over the last three to five years, at least not anything nearly as significant as what occurred on Thursday."
It is important to note that other regions in Texas also witnessed heavy rainfall on Thursday, largely attributed to powerful thunderstorms sweeping through southern Texas. This weather event was not isolated, as Appalachian regions experienced their own tragedies, with at least three deaths reported in West Virginia over the weekend. The Wheeling-Ohio County emergency management agency indicated that more individuals were reported missing in the aftermath of the storms.
In response to the severe conditions, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for Ohio County. On Sunday, he reported that some areas received approximately 3 to 4 inches of rain in less than an hour, leading to flash flooding in the city of Wheeling and the towns of Triadelphia and Valley Grove. Tragically, later that same day, additional flash flooding resulted in a partial apartment collapse in Marion County, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency there as well.
Governor Morrisey urged residents to prioritize safety, stating, "Please — stay off the roads. Do not underestimate the strength and speed of these floods. Pray for our friends and neighbors during this challenging time for our state." This serves as a vital reminder during such turbulent weather conditions.
As the situation unfolds, the National Weather Service forecasts that more storms are likely across the United States. Regions such as Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas could experience severe thunderstorms accompanied by large hail and critical wind gusts exceeding 75 miles per hour. Additionally, states including Virginia, North Carolina, and several areas in the central and southern Plains may face strong to severe thunderstorms in the coming days.
