A Thursday morning downpour turned parts of San Antonio into a soggy obstacle course, with pockets of flash flooding swallowing up low-lying streets and backing up the commute. Local TV footage showed water sliding across familiar cut-throughs and side roads as drivers hit the brakes, pulled over or turned around while storms moved across the area. Authorities urged anyone on the roads to take it slow and treat flooded spots as no-go zones.
According to KENS 5, heavy rain led to flash flooding on several area roadways and the station urged viewers to check traffic cameras for any sign of high water before heading out. Video from the station showed drivers confronting standing water on ramps and side streets while emergency crews kept watch nearby. KENS 5 also reminded viewers that its app can stream live coverage for anyone away from a television.
How officials are warning drivers
The San Antonio River Authority is reminding residents that a burst of rapid rainfall can quickly overwhelm low-water crossings, turning a familiar shortcut into a dangerous channel. The agency is directing people to its real-time sensor maps and roadway-status pages so they can see which crossings are affected before they roll out.
The TxDOT camera portal lets commuters preview conditions along I-35, I-10 and other busy corridors, giving a live look at which lanes are slowed by standing water. Officials are keeping the message simple: if a road is barricaded or looks even partially submerged, do not try to drive through it.
Safety reminders
The National Weather Service slogan "Turn Around, Don't Drown" is more than a catchy rhyme. Just six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and 12 inches can carry away a small car, the NWS notes. The agency's local office has also documented last summer's catastrophic June flooding in detailed event summaries, underscoring how fast a routine storm can escalate into a deadly situation.
Officials say residents should treat any flooded street as hazardous until it has been explicitly cleared by trusted sources. If the road looks questionable, assume it is unsafe.
Where to get updates
For current information on which stretches of pavement are passable, drivers are urged to check TxDOT's camera portal and the San Antonio River Authority's flood-status tools before leaving home. Local television stations are also streaming live storm coverage for those who want a real-time look at the conditions.
If you come across water flowing over a roadway, the National Weather Service guidance still applies: turn around, do not try to guess the depth, and wait for official word that it is safe to cross.
