Tragedy struck in San Antonio when at least five individuals, reported to be homeless, were swept away by floodwaters following intense rainfall, KENS 5 reports. The incident took place just after midnight near Interstate 10 and El Monte Boulevard. A group seeking refuge in the drainage tunnels beside the freeway was caught off-guard as the water surged.
Sources say the group consisted of five to six individuals camping out to escape the elements,, however, the elements came rushing in with a mighty force. San Antonio Fire Department crews rushed to the scene, tying themselves off with rope in efforts to enter the tunnel and locate the individuals. These drainage tunnels extend out toward the Woodlawn Lake area, and it was here the search intensified as firefighters called out to the missing group.
In a desperate search mission, officials even utilized a boat to comb through the labyrinth of tunnels, still with no success, according to reports from KSAT. The urgency of the situation was heightened by the fast-moving nature of the water which was a direct result of the late-night deluge that had beleaguered the city.
Efforts continued throughout the early hours, led by the battalion chief who coordinated multiple locations in the strenuous search and rescue operation. "Crews made multiple locations responding to this rescue," the battalion chief said, conveying the widespread nature of the emergency. At the time of writing, the fate of the individuals remains unknown, as search teams persist in their efforts to find signs of life amidst the churning aftermath of nature's untimely wrath.
