At least 11 people have been confirmed dead and several remain missing after intense flash floods swept through San Antonio, Texas, following days of torrential rainfall.
Severe storms on Wednesday and Thursday triggered sudden flooding, forcing dozens of vehicles off roads and sweeping some drivers into creeks.
According to local reports from CBS, several of the victims were trapped in their cars when the floodwaters surged near the Perrin Beitel neighbourhood early Thursday morning.
The San Antonio Fire Department said search and recovery operations are ongoing, with at least four people still unaccounted for. Officials cautioned that the death toll could rise as they continue combing through affected areas. K9 units have been deployed to assist, and additional support has been requested from the statewide urban search and rescue task force.
City officials said over 70 water rescues were carried out by Friday afternoon. At least four of those rescued were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to CBS News.
Three of the deceased have been publicly identified: Martha De La Torre Rangel, Matthew Angel Tufono, and Victor Manuel Macias Castro. Fire officials confirmed the trio was caught in the floodwaters around 5:00 a.m. local time Thursday while driving.
Angel Richards, whose husband Stevie is among those feared missing, recounted a harrowing phone call as he became trapped. “It’s hard because I was on the phone when this happened,” she told KENS 5. “To see my car, it’s devastating. No one can say to me, ‘Hey, this is what’s going on.’”
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg extended his condolences, writing on social media: “Our hearts are with the families of those we’ve lost to this week’s flash floods and the families who continue searching for their loved ones.”
Congressman Joaquin Castro, who represents the area in the US House of Representatives, called the disaster a tragedy. “San Antonio always stands together when tragedy strikes and we will continue to do so as our community grieves this loss,” he said.
The National Weather Service has warned that conditions remain unstable, with more rain possible over the weekend. Local officials continue to urge residents to avoid flood-prone areas and stay informed through official emergency channels.
Rescue and recovery efforts are expected to continue over the coming days as the city confronts one of its deadliest flooding events in recent memory.
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