San Antonio Flooding
Introduction to the Disaster
SAN ANTONIO — Heavy rains in San Antonio rapidly flooded roads, swept away submerged cars and sent some people scrambling up trees to escape fast-rising waters Thursday while firefighters made dozens of rescues across the nation’s seventh-largest city. At least five people died and two were still missing, authorities said.
The Impact of the Floods
The deaths all occurred in the northeast part of the city, where authorities found over a dozen vehicles in the water. Photos and video showed smashed and overturned vehicles submerged in a creek.
Some of the people rescued in that area said they were swept off an interstate access road by “sudden fast rising water,” San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson Joe Arrington said in an email. He said floodwaters swept vehicles into a creek and carried them downstream.
Rescue Efforts
Crews were bringing in search dogs Thursday afternoon to help find missing people, Arrington said.
By afternoon, crews could be seen pulling heavily damaged vehicles out of the creek.
Causes of the Floods
Calls for water rescues began before sunrise, officials said. Two women and two men were found dead, according to police Chief William McManus, who did not have their ages.
“There were several people that were caught in that water that had climbed up into trees and we did do a couple of rescues out of trees and some rescues out of vehicles,” said fire department spokesperson Woody Woodward.
Rescue Statistics
From midnight to 8 a.m. the fire department made 65 water rescues, officials said. Ten people were rescued in the same area as where people were found dead, including four people who were taken to the hospital for injuries.
Meteorological Analysis
The flooding occurred after a round of slow-moving showers and thunderstorms in the San Antonio area during the early morning hours Thursday, said Eric Platt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Over 7 inches of rain fell in parts of the San Antonio area, according to the weather service.
Aftermath and Warnings
By midmorning, flooding was receding, though Platt noted that rain was still falling in some areas. He didn’t expect additional rain to be as heavy as overnight but said anything that falls on saturated ground can lead to flooding.
Related Weather Patterns
Related:Is Dallas-Fort Worth finally reaching the end of an incredibly rainy stretch of weather?
D-FW Weather Wise
Conclusion
The San Antonio flooding was a devastating event that resulted in loss of life and property. The rapid rise of floodwaters caught many people off guard, and the rescue efforts were a testament to the bravery and quick thinking of the emergency responders. As the city begins to recover from this disaster, it is essential to remember the importance of being prepared for severe weather events and taking necessary precautions to stay safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the cause of the San Antonio flooding?
A: The flooding occurred after a round of slow-moving showers and thunderstorms in the San Antonio area during the early morning hours Thursday.
Q: How many people died in the flooding?
A: At least five people died, and two were still missing, authorities said.
Q: How many water rescues were made by the fire department?
A: From midnight to 8 a.m. the fire department made 65 water rescues, officials said.
Q: What was the total amount of rainfall in the San Antonio area?
A: Over 7 inches of rain fell in parts of the San Antonio area, according to the weather service.
Q: Are there any warnings for future flooding in the area?
A: Yes, meteorologist Eric Platt noted that anything that falls on saturated ground can lead to flooding, and residents should be prepared for potential future flooding events.
