San Antonio's Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has been actively surveying various flood mitigation sites across the city following recent severe storms that brought the issue of flooding sharply back into focus for many residents. On September 8, the Mayor visited eight of the 14 sites listed on the state's Flood Mitigation Plan. Concerns over the flooding were voiced during a Town Hall last week, where a woman from the Channing block in District 3 described decades-long struggles with flooding on her street.
In response to the town hall concerns and to better understand the situation, Mayor Jones decided to personally assess the flood-affected areas. As per a recent statement on the City of San Antonio, "There are significant infrastructure needs throughout the city, including flood prevention and mitigation projects from Rock Creek to Huebner Creek that can help protect the safety of residents, curb long-term costs, and enable economic development." The Mayor's commitment to not only listen but to also take immediate action showcases the administration's proactive approach to community issues.
Among the sites Mayor Jones visited were the Barbara Drive Drainage Improvements, Thames Drainage Channel Replacement, and the Rock Creek to name a few. The visits are aimed at informing the FY2026 budget and future infrastructure bonds to prioritize and finance the city’s flood mitigation efforts.
Despite having sent a letter to the San Antonio State Delegation back in July, which contained three requests for the Texas Legislature, the Mayor’s office has acknowledged that not all of these concerns were addressed in the special session. Nevertheless, Mayor Jones plans to continue to actively work towards getting these flood mitigation projects off the ground. The remaining six sites will be toured on September 12 to further inform potential investments into the city's infrastructure concerning flood prevention and mitigation, according to the mayor's office.
