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A flash flood watch remains in effect for the San Antonio area until 7 p.m. following a severe storm early Thursday morning. The storm tragically resulted in five fatalities and prompted numerous high-water rescues across the region. Nick Soliz from the San Antonio Police Department reported that out of 19 individuals in the water, 10 were successfully rescued, while two managed to self-rescue. Unfortunately, three individuals are still missing, and authorities have located 15 vehicles submerged in floodwaters.
The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) confirmed that several vehicles were swept off the Loop 410 access road into Beitel Creek around 5 a.m. Four individuals were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. Fire department spokesman Joe Arrington reported an active morning, with the storm generating heavy rains and significant flooding leading up to the morning rush hour.
As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, the SAFD had conducted 65 water rescues, including one that required the use of watercraft. In addition to these rescues, they received 58 fire alarms and reported three structure fires along with four transformer fires. By midday, floodwaters had covered the lower level of I-35 in downtown San Antonio, and earlier in the day, several vehicles were seen submerged in water on the main lanes of I-35 at FM 3009 in Schertz.
By midday Thursday, dozens of roads in the San Antonio area remained closed due to flooding. The international airport recorded a staggering six inches of rain, marking the most significant single rain event in over a decade. Reports from Grey Forest indicated winds reaching up to 60 miles per hour, accompanied by penny-sized hail. A small tornado also caused minor damage a few miles southeast of Wimberley.
In the aftermath of the storm, CPS Energy reported that approximately 30,000 residents were left without power. Fortunately, utility crews from the city-owned power company managed to restore electricity to all but 8,500 customers by noon on Thursday. CPS Energy is actively providing updates on power outages and restoration efforts in the area.
San Antonio is currently experiencing its sixth year of drought, making the recent rainfall significant. Forecasters suggest that an additional one to three inches of rain could fall by Thursday night. However, the weekend outlook predicts mostly sunny and hot weather, providing a stark contrast to the rain and overcast skies experienced earlier in the week.
Stay safe and stay informed as the community navigates the aftermath of the storm, and make sure to subscribe to TPR Today for the latest updates on weather alerts and other important news in the San Antonio area.
