GEORGE DESIPRIS
At least 11 people have been confirmed dead and several others remain missing following catastrophic flash flooding in San Antonio, Texas.
The severe storms, which struck the region on Wednesday and Thursday, swept vehicles off the roads and into nearby waterways, including a creek, according to local CBS reports, as cited by the BBC’s U.S. news partner.
The San Antonio Fire Department said search operations are underway for at least four individuals who remain unaccounted for after the deluge. Authorities warned that the official death toll could rise as search and recovery efforts, expected to last several days, continue.
To aid in the extensive operation, the fire department has deployed K9 units and has requested further help from a statewide urban search and rescue team.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 70 water rescues had been carried out, according to the city’s website. CBS reported that at least four of those rescued were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Three of the flood victims have been formally identified as Martha De La Torre Rangel, Matthew Angel Tufono, and Victor Manuel Macias Castro. All three were reportedly trapped in their vehicles in the Perrin Beitel neighborhood around 5:00 AM local time (11:00 GMT) on Thursday when the water surged.
One woman, Angel Richards, spoke to CBS affiliate KENS 5 about her husband Stevie, who was caught in the flooding while on his way to work.
“It’s hard because I was on the phone when this happened, and then not to have a lot of communication, to see my car, it’s devastating to me,” Richards said. “No one can say to me, ‘Hey, this is what’s going on.'”
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg offered his condolences to the families affected by the disaster.
“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 in a post on X.
Democratic U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, who represents San Antonio, also addressed the tragedy on X.
“My prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims of this week’s flash floods,” Castro said. “San Antonio always stands together when tragedy strikes and we will continue to do so as our community grieves this loss.”
