In the city of San Antonio, a torrential downpour has resulted in severe flooding. This has tragically led to the deaths of at least five individuals, with two others still unaccounted for, according to San Antonio authorities on Thursday.
These fatalities were reported in the northeast of San Antonio, specifically in the Loop 410 vicinity. The San Antonio Police Chief William McManus indicated that fifteen vehicles were caught in the floodwaters and swept off the road.
Nineteen individuals were reportedly trapped in the water at one point, as Officer Nick Soliz confirmed. Ten of these were rescued by first responders, while two managed to extricate themselves. Four individuals were conveyed to the hospital with minor injuries, Soliz added.
Search operations are still ongoing, as per Chief McManus. He also issued a stark warning about the perils of driving on flooded roads, emphasizing the life-threatening danger posed by the depth and speed of the floodwaters.
A flash flood warning has been issued for the San Antonio region, extending into Thursday afternoon. This is due to the influx of moisture from the Gulf, which is escalating the risk of life-threatening flash floods. Reports indicate anywhere between 2 and 7 inches of rain had fallen in the San Antonio area as of Thursday morning, with some areas experiencing rainfall as rapid as 2 inches in 30 minutes.
This development follows earlier reports that a flood watch was issued for 24 million Americans across much of the eastern half of Texas, in addition to northwest Louisiana, southwest Arkansas, and southeast Oklahoma. In particular, southeastern Texas, spanning from Houston to Victoria, faces a notable risk of flash flooding due to the expectation of consistent, heavy rain.
