Heavy rain in San Antonio floods several major roadways

More heavy rains Tuesday night headed into Wednesday morning left several low-lying areas and intersections with creeks and rivers seeing flash flooding – something a National Weather Service meteorologist warned MySA would be possible as saturated grounds across the city continued to be doused throughout the week. With waters rapidly rising, dozens of roads across the street have been closed to traffic.

“Flooding has developed in several areas and is expected to impact portions of the region throughout the morning commute,” the National Weather Service tweeted Wednesday morning. “Do not drive around barricades and onto flooded roadways. Do you know how deep the water really is? Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

An example of what can happen if the weather agency’s warning to avoid flood-prone areas isn’t heeded, images online are circulating of a police patrol vehicle stuck in a flooded roadway near where Salado Creek meets I-35.

Dozens of roads have shut down due to flash flooding. Here’s a list of roads closed as of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to BexarFlood.org:

• Abbott @ Martinez Creek
• Abbott @ Saltrillo Creek
• Alamo Heights
• Baxtershire @ Culebra Creek
• Burshard Road West of Gardner
• Comanche Cross
• Contour Drive
• Dreamland
• Fort Sam Master Sts
• Gass Road South of Culebra Road
• Gibbs Sprawl
• Kirkner Road West of Stuart
• Lockhill
• Maltsberger Ln.
• Mauermann
• Nancy Carole Way
• NE Entrance Rd.
• Old Corpus Christi
• Old Grissom
• Old O Conner
• Old Seguin Rd
• Pfeil
• Rodriguez
• Schaefer @ Cibolo Creek
• Schultz Rd S of FM 327
• Sleepy Hollow
• Southwell
• Stahl
• Zigmont @ Chupaderas Creek

A flash flood warning remains in effect in Bexar County and a flood advisory is in place until noon of Thursday, January 25 as the National Weather Service warns 1 to 2 inches of rain have fallen over South Central Texas during isolated thunderstorms, according to Doppler radar and automated rain gauges. Further, the weather agency says another 1 to 2 inches could fall before the warnings expire.

“At 6:11 a.m., Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. This will cause urban and small stream flooding,” the National Weather Service wrote in their flood advisory. “Some locations that will experience flooding include… San Antonio, Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City, Live Oak, Selma, San Antonio Int Airport, Stinson Municipal Airport, Randolph AFB, Leon Valley, Helotes, Kirby, Alamo Heights, Windcrest, Terrell Hills, Shavano Park, Hollywood Park, Olmos Park, St. Hedwig and Elmendorf.”

All of this wild weather isn’t lost on local school districts as parents and students attempt to make it to campus Wednesday morning amid flooded roadways and closed streets. The Judson Independent School District says they understand if there are some late arrivals due to the inclement weather.

“Dear Judson ISD Family, please be safe as you travel the roads this morning. We know that the rain may cause some slippery road conditions. We understand that the weather may also cause some late arrivals with our students and staff,” the school district tweeted Wednesday morning. “Please know that there will be no penalties for tardies. We also ask that you be patient with our bus transportation. We are working hard to get your students to school safely.”