San Antonio officials report 13 dead after heavy storms, flooding

This story has been updated.

The death toll from last week’s severe storms and widespread flash flooding in San Antonio creeks is now at 13, according to officials on Saturday.

All missing people have been recovered as of 11:45 a.m. Saturday, said Joe Arrington, a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson in a statement.

Thursday’s 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 started at midnight and eventually were concentrated at Salado Creek near Perrin Beitel and also at Leon Creek near Highway 90 and Callaghan Road, authorities said.

SAFD deployed canine units and had requested additional support from Texas A&M Task Force 1, a highly trained search and rescue team of 40. These teams conducted 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.

On Saturday, the ME’s office identified additional victims: Christine Gonzales, 29; Rudy Garza, 61; Josue Pinadelatorre, 28; and Andrew Sanchez, 60.

Eleven bodies were found in the Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel area, according to SAFD on Saturday. One body was found several miles north (upstream) of the Perrin Beitel search area and another was found in the Highway 90 Leon Creek area.

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.