SAN ANTONIO — Washed out roads, stranded cars and people seeking shelter in the wrong places. On Monday, emergency crews were flooded with calls from stranded drivers and concerned bystanders.
According to officials, the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) responded to 25 water rescues.
Firefighters were called to a drainage ditch near El Monte Boulevard and I-10 after a group of 5 to 6 people experiencing homelessness were reportedly swept away by a flash flood. An SAFD spokesperson said first responders used a boat to search several locations downstream but were unsuccessful.
“Water is very powerful; it can pull people away in a moment,” said Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas.
Crews aren’t always able to keep up with the rain, Armbruster says.
“Even if there’s no road closure sign or barricade, you should never drive through water,” he said. “It’s sometimes very difficult to determine the depth of that water or if that water is moving underneath. It’s a very serious thing, you saw tonight and today there have been numerous calls.”
If your car is stuck in water, Armbruster says you should turn off the engine, turn on your hazard lights and check to see if the water is moving. If it’s not, try to walk to higher ground. If there is a current, lower your window and immediately call for help.
“Over half of all flood-related deaths in this country occur in a vehicle,” said Joe Arrington, a spokesperson for SAFD.
It is illegal to drive around barricades.
“It’s dangerous, deadly and I don’t know how else to say it -- stupid,” Armbruster said.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) tracks flooded roads, so you can find out if your commute is impacted and pick another route.
As for protecting the homeless population from flash flooding, city officials say local groups visit encampments ahead of storms to offer shelter and transportation.