San Antonio officials report 11 dead after heavy storms, flooding

At least 11 people have died because of severe storms and flash flooding in San Antonio creeks on Thursday, according to officials.

The heavy rain and high water caused 15 vehicles to be swept away from the Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel access road into the creek below on the city’s Northeast Side.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with concentrated efforts at Salado Creek near Perrin Beitel and also at Leon Creek near Highway 90 and Callaghan Road, said Joe Arrington, a spokesperson with the fire department at 4 p.m. Friday.

San Antonio Fire Department reports that that they are searching for several people who remain unaccounted for. SAFD has deployed canine units and has requested additional support from Texas A&M Task Force 1, a highly trained search and rescue team of 40.

These teams are conducting detailed ground searches across creek beds, low-water crossings and debris fields.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday identified three individuals who died in the flooding: Martha De La Torre Rangel, 55; Victor Manuel Macias Castro, 28; and Matthew Angel Tufono, 51.

SAFD reported that five people were found dead on arrival during rescue and recovery efforts, which began at midnight Thursday.

The San Antonio Police Department told KSAT that 19 people were in the water at one point. Of the people that were found, some were clinging to trees more than a mile away from where they first entered the water.

The overnight storms Thursday dumped a record amount of 3 to 8 inches of rain and caused massive power outages across the city.

Since the start of the flooding event, SAFD has responded to more than 70 water rescues and 16 high-water investigations. SAPD is conducting death investigations through its homicide unit, including next-of-kin notifications in each death.

“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,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

“I want to personally thank our San Antonio first responders and their families for their sacrifices toward the recovery efforts. Erika and I will be praying that those who are missing are found without harm,” he said.

If you are missing a loved one who may have been affected by the flood and are unable to locate them, call the San Antonio Police Department at 210-207-4817.

This is a developing story.