City Manager Walsh notifies leaders that SA will investigate what contributed to deadly flash flooding crisis

SAN ANTONIO — Officials plan to investigate what factored into last week’s sudden and deadly flooding emergencies that have left some families grieving, according to an email sent by City Manager Erik Walsh to other San Antonio leaders Monday. They are also analyzing the total cost of damage the storms left behind to “key infrastructure.” 

Thirteen people ranging in age from 28 to 67 years old died after their cars were slammed by fast-moving water the morning of June 12, when slow-moving storms dumped more than 6 inches of rain in the Alamo City. Most of those bodies were found in the area of Austin Highway and Perrin Beitel on the northeast side, where floodwaters carried a line of cars that had been stuck in traffic into nearby creek beds. 

The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) responded to at least 70 calls for high-water rescues last Thursday as families raced to reconnect with loved ones who were on the road. Search-and-rescue efforts led by SAFD ended over the weekend, when all of those reported missing were recovered; Texas A&M Task Force 1, a federal search team, assisted with recovery. 

The city’s investigation will include the City Attorney’s Office, Public Works, the San Antonio Police Department and SAFD, Walsh wrote in his email, and will look into flooding in Beitel Creek and Leon Creek. 

“The analysis will include independent engineering and expert evaluation of what factors may have contributed to these events,” Walsh wrote. “These reviews will gather data from the events and provide a robust analysis of what occurred based on the facts.” 

The city will share its findings at some point in the future, according to Walsh. 

Notice of the investigation comes amid local leaders calls for action. 

City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, who represents the east side and has been one of council’s staunchest advocates for improved infrastructure, said the “profound tragedy” represents “why a commitment to equitable investment in our community matters.” 

“San Antonio continues to have great infrastructure need, but it’s clear the city cannot do it on our own and we’re going to need greater investment from the county, state and federal government if we’re ever going to meet that need,” McKee-Rodriguez said in a statement. “We are a community at great risk of natural disasters, and it’s unclear how this could have been prevented. What matters most is that lives have been lost and as a community we need to evaluate our priorities.”

At the outset of the city’s investigation, it’s still unclear whether the tragedy was solely the result of the storms or if something manmade failed. 

“I have never seen the water like an ocean. The dumpster moved like a toy,” said Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert, describing the force of the floodwaters. “I knew some bad things were likely to happen. I grew up in that area.”

Councilman Marc Whyte, who represents the area where the brunt of the deadly flooding unfolded, told KENS 5 aging infrastructure likely played a role. 

“Our city’s infrastructure is aging. It’s old already, but it’s getting worse,” Whyte said. “We’ve got broken pipes, we have streets that need repair, we have drainage issues. That’s where we need to be putting our money.”

Whyte added that 22% of the roads in the area are in poor or failing condition. As city leaders prepare to enter into annual budget discussions, he believes flood mitigation and road improvements need to become a top priority.

“If it’s something the city can do better, we’re certainly going to look into it,” Whyte added. “We are heart-struck by what happened and we’ll do everything we can to help the families in need.”

Calvert noted that the county had already invested $500 million into flood mitigation projects in the region since the 1998 flood, which had not resulted in loss of life—until now.

“From the flood of 1998, we hadn’t had any loss of life on all those flood control projects,” Calvert said. “That area had a flood control project the county had done.”

Still, he said more analysis is needed. He raised concerns about overgrown vegetation, construction debris, and the replacement of green space with concrete—all of which he believes may have contributed to the tragedy and must be investigated.

“We have to consider, potentially with climate change, whether or not a 100-year flood plan is enough,” he said.

Meanwhile, a vigil to honor those killed in the flooding tragedy is set for Wednesday evening in the parking lot of San Antonio Aware and Prepared headquarters. It’s being organized by the local nonprofit Eagles Flight Advocacy and Outreach.