In San Antonio, 13 vehicles were engulfed by flooding, resulting in the death of 4 individuals and leaving 3 unaccounted for.
Floods in San Antonio, Texas, have claimed at least four lives and left three missing, according to recent reports. Images from the scene showed vehicles flipped over and almost entirely submerged in the water.
The San Antonio Police Department Chief, William McManus, confirmed that four bodies, both male and female, were found in the floodwaters. The recovery took place in various locations, including Beitel Creek.
The torrential downpour started around 5 a.m. near the intersection of Northeast Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel. The San Antonio Fire Department, assisted by the Game Wardens and the police's homicide unit, rescued ten people from the submerged vehicles. Four were taken to local hospitals, two left the scene, and four were discovered deceased.
McManus reported that some individuals were rescued both from inside the vehicles and the floodwaters. He warned against underestimating the danger of low water crossings, stating that evaluating the depth of water and its speed can be extremely difficult. "Attempting to cross these areas during flash flood events places your life at risk," he added.
McManus urged anyone who had left the scene without speaking to authorities to contact the Traffic Investigation Division to confirm their safety. As of the latest reports, San Antonio, Universal City, and Converse are under a flash flood warning until 2:45 p.m. EST Thursday, as per the National Weather Service.
Low water crossings, particularly during flash flood events, pose significant dangers, the authorities stressed. The flash flood warnings extend beyond San Antonio, affecting other regions in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Millions of people are currently under flood watches. Infrastructure damage and community recovery efforts are ongoing.
- As the flood situation worsens, general news outlets are focusing on the increasing number of car accidents due to the floodwaters, particularly in the low water crossings.
- Apart from the flood-related fatalities, additional concerns are rising as fires have been reported in some flooded areas, causing further complications for rescue efforts.
- Weather forecasting services havewarned of more heavy rainfall and potential flooding in the upcoming days, advising everyone in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma to stay updated and be prepared, as the weather conditions could lead to a series of accidents and incidents.
