San Antonio, Texas experienced a catastrophic weather event on June 12, 2025, as flash flooding triggered by record-breaking rainfall killed at least 11 people, left several others missing, and caused extensive damage across the city and surrounding counties. Within just one hour, nearly 101 mm (4 inches) of rain fell — more than the city’s average rainfall for the entire month of June.
A Deluge Beyond Measure
The flooding was the result of an extremely moisture-laden atmosphere fueled by a quasi-stationary upper-level trough and record-warm Gulf of Mexico waters. This setup produced precipitable water values over 50 mm (2 inches) — placing the event in the 99th percentile for early summer in Texas.
At San Antonio International Airport, a daily rainfall total of 162 mm (6.37 inches) was recorded — the city’s wettest June day in over a decade, eclipsing a 1973 record. Some areas, including Helotes, the Far West Side, and nearby counties such as Medina, Comal, Hays, and Guadalupe, reported 178 to 203 mm (7–8 inches) of rain in just 24 hours.
11 people are confirmed dead and several others still missing after Thursday’s flooding. The areas where these deaths happened include the West Side and the Northeast Side of San Antonio.
— News 4 San Antonio (@News4SA) June 13, 2025
THE LATEST: https://t.co/rHomlR3geP pic.twitter.com/CMAMd1q6SR
Rapid River Rise and Infrastructure Collapse
The San Antonio River surged from 0.9 m (3 ft) to over 7.6 m (25 ft) in under two hours, leading to sudden, deadly flash flooding. The Northeast Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel Road areas were hit especially hard, where many victims were caught in their vehicles when a wall of water swept through.
Search and rescue operations remain underway, focusing on areas around Salado Creek and Leon Creek. Emergency services conducted over 70 water rescues, including 19 individuals swept into Beitel Creek; 10 were saved from trees nearly 1.6 km (1 mile) downstream.
Widespread Damage and Power Outages
- 30,000 residents experienced power outages, some lasting over a day.
- Roads such as Vicar Drive and Old O’Connor Road were washed out or closed indefinitely.
- The Olympia Hills Golf & Event Center reported bridge failures and debris flows, forcing a multi-day closure.
- Businesses in flood-prone zones sustained significant structural and inventory losses.
Looking Ahead: Floodwaters Moving Downstream
According to the NWS San Antonio office, floodwaters are draining into the Coastal Plains, with minor to moderate flooding expected along the San Antonio River and Cibolo Creek, particularly in Wilson and Karnes counties through the weekend.
Officials are urging residents to stay cautious:
“Turn around, don’t drown.”
A City Shaped by Floods
This event adds to San Antonio’s long and tragic history with flooding:
- 1921: Over 500 mm (20 inches) of rain caused a flood that killed 200+ people and spurred major infrastructure projects like Olmos Dam and the flood bypass channel.
- 1998: A 48-hour deluge of 280 mm (11 inches) led to 31 deaths and $1.2 billion in damage.
- 2013: Storms dumped 381 mm (15 inches) in 12 hours, prompting hundreds of rescues and upgrades to emergency communication systems.
As climate extremes intensify, events like June 12 are stark reminders of the importance of resilient infrastructure, public preparedness, and real-time warnings in saving lives.
