San Antonio, TX — The death toll from Thursday’s devastating flash flooding near Beitel Creek has risen to twelve, with six people still reported missing. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office released the names of four more victims on Saturday, as recovery operations continue in one of the city’s worst flood disasters in recent memory.
According to officials, the newly identified victims are Christine Gonzales, 29; Rudy Garza, 61; Josue Pinadelatorre, 28; and Andrew Sanchez, 60. All four were caught in the sudden surge of water near Perrin Beitel Road and Northeast Loop 410. The medical examiner noted that efforts are still underway to identify additional victims, and more names will be released once families are notified.
The flooding began early Thursday morning following intense storms that dumped heavy rain across the region. Around 4:15 a.m., emergency calls started coming in from motorists trapped on the frontage road of Loop 410. In minutes, Beitel Creek overflowed, sweeping away about 15 vehicles. Some were carried nearly a mile downstream by the fast-moving floodwaters.
The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) reported that a total of 19 people were swept into the creek. Emergency crews successfully rescued ten of them, some of whom were found clinging to trees or debris. Sadly, others were not as fortunate. The bodies of seven victims have been publicly identified so far, including three announced on Friday: Martha De La Torre Rangel, 55; Victor Manuel Macias Castro, 28; and Matthew Angel Tufono, 51.
As of Saturday, six people remain unaccounted for. Search teams continue to comb the area using boats, drones, and K-9 units, hoping to locate survivors or recover those still missing. Officials have not confirmed whether recovery operations will be scaled back, saying the focus remains on finding every individual involved.
Thursday’s tragedy has left the San Antonio community in shock. Local leaders are urging residents to stay alert during storms and avoid low-lying areas known for flooding. Beitel Creek, like many waterways in the region, can become dangerously swollen in a matter of minutes during severe weather.
Authorities say the investigation into the flooding is still active, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The public is also encouraged to follow official channels for safety alerts and ongoing rescue developments.