Death toll reaches 13 after massive flash flooding, SA officials say

SAN ANTONIO — The death toll from Thursday morning’s flash flood that overwhelmed numerous cars in northeast San Antonio – pushing them off the roadway and into a nearby creek bed – has grown to 13, officials said. 

The current number of deaths is up from five, initially reported by officials Thursday evening. SAFD crews rescued 10 more, while two were able to escape the rushing water by themselves. San Antonio International Airport recorded 6.12 inches of rain Thursday, making it the rainiest day in the Alamo City in 12 years. 

As of Saturday morning, SAFD says that all reported missing people have been recovered.

SAFD said Texas A&M Task Force 1, a federal search-and-rescue team, is assisting with recovery efforts. They added that “this rescue/recovery effort will be an ongoing and extremely thorough process for days to come.”

Seven of the people killed in the Perrin Beitel flood have been identified as Martha De La Torre Rangel, 55; Matthew Angel Tufono, 51; Victor Manuel Macias Castro, 28; Matthew Tufono, 51; Christine Gonzales, 29; Rudy Garza, 61; Josue Pinadelatorre, 28; and Andrew Sanchez, 60.

SAFD says that 11 of the victims where found in the Perrin Beitel search area, one was found several miles north upstream and one was from the Highway 90 Leon Creek area.

They and others were sitting in traffic due to a stalled car on a nearby road around 5 a.m. Thursday, as slow-moving storms were pummeling the city with rain. That’s when the water suddenly came rushing in, SAFD officials say. 

Fifteen cars were washed away. Crews spent hours retrieving the vehicles from the Salado Creek bed Thursday, where many of them were found crumpled or upside-down. 

Anyone looking for a missing relative after the floods can call (210) 207-4817. 

In a social media message, Mayor Ron Nirenberg thanked first responders for their efforts, adding he and First Lady of San Antonio Erika Prosper would pray for those who remain missing. 

“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,” Nirenberg said. 

On another side of town, crews responded to U.S. Highway 90 and Callaghan Road just after 3 p.m. Thursday after high water was reported in the area. At least one man, Derwin Anderson, was missing from that area, according to family members. But crews had to end their search around 8:45 p.m. Thursday when conditions grew too dark and unsafe.

Dozens of people were rescued from the intense floodwaters. From midnight through 4:45 p.m. Thursday, the fire department said they responded to 70 calls for rescues and 16 others for “high-water investigations.”

City officials say flooding “remains a serious concern” for the Medina and San Antonio rivers through Father’s Day weekend.