The declaration seeks help from the state and potentially the federal government, too, after the storms.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio and Bexar County officials have jointly issued a disaster declaration in the aftermath of last week’s historic storms, in the process asking for help from the state “in light of the extensive damage and the concern of future heavy rainfall and flooding.”
More than 6 inches of rain fell in the metro on June 12 and 13 people were killed in subsequent flash floods that overwhelmed some San Antonio roads. On Monday, City Manager Erik Walsh notified Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Council that officials will be investigating what factors may have exacerbated the tragedy.
In the meantime, local officials are seeking support from Gov. Greg Abbott to help with cleanup, infrastructure repairs and recovery efforts, according to a press release. City officials are still working to determine the dollar amount of damages caused by the storms.
“The magnitude of this disaster requires state-level support,” Nirenberg is quoted as saying in the release. “Our community is resilient, but we cannot do this alone.”
“We are taking action to ensure that we have the necessary resources for our community’s recovery,” Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai added.
While the rain outlook for San Antonio is fairly minimal in the next week, with minimal precipitation chances forecasted over the coming days, officials are also asked that Abbott issue additional declarations amid future storms that could arrive as the community continues to recover. That would open the city up to potentially receive more assistance from Texas or the federal government.
The state was able to secure federal assistance last month for severe flooding that impacted Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties in South Texas. That paved the way for residents in those communities to apply for FEMA aid for housing, emergency repairs, funeral expenses or other needs.
The declaration will remain in effect for seven days unless San Antonio City Council – which will be overseen by a new mayor by this time next week – decides to renew it.
Those killed in the floods range from 28 to 67 years old and include a U.S. Army firefighter who was engaged, a dedicated grandfather and a man who had just celebrated his birthday with loved ones. One victim recovered from the flooded areas remains unidentified by the medical examiner.
Most of the bodies were recovered in the area of Perrin Beitel and Austin Highway in northeast San Antonio, where rushing floodwaters swept away a line of cars that had been stuck in traffic. They ended up in nearby creek beds, from which San Antonio Fire Department crews led the effort to recover 10 bodies and pull out 15 cars.
Councilmen Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, of District 2, and Marc Whyte, of District 10, have said in the days since the flooding that San Antonio needs to reorient its focus on infrastructure improvement and “equitable investment in our community.”