San Antonio and Bexar County issue joint disaster declaration in aftermath of deadly flooding

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Wikimedia Commons / Eric Dietrich

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg issued the declaration on his last day in office Tuesday.

San Antonio and Bexar County issued a joint disaster declaration late Tuesday in response to last week’s deadly flooding.

The flooding, which began early Thursday morning, left 13 people dead, primarily as it swept along Beitel and Leon creeks in Northwest San Antonio. The disaster declaration will allow both the city and the county to seek state recovery resources, including an official evaluation of the disaster, which also could help them qualify for federal financial assistance.

“The magnitude of this disaster requires state-level support,” outgoing Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement. “Our community is resilient, but we cannot do this alone.”

Wednesday is Nirenberg’s last day in office. New mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is expected to be sworn in that afternoon.

“In the aftermath of the unprecedented storms that resulted in the tragic loss of 13 lives, we are taking action to ensure that we have the necessary resources for our community’s recovery,” Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said in a statement.

Even if Gov. Greg Abbott approves the city and county request, securing those federal funds may prove difficult due to President Trump’s proposed $646 million in cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This week, City Manager Erik Walsh also launched an investigation into the cause of the flood, one of the worst San Antonio has experienced in recent years.

A vigil for the 13 victims is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday at San Antonio Aware and Prepared, 819 Northwest Loop 410.

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