SAN ANTONIO – A terrifying scene unfolded on San Antonio’s East Side Thursday night as a man narrowly escaped being swept away by rising floodwaters after his truck became submerged near Salado Creek.
The harrowing rescue occurred around 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Seguin Road. The victim, who identified himself only as Enrique, was driving home when he encountered high water. Despite the presence of safety barricades, he attempted to drive through, only to have his Chevy Silverado stall and rapidly submerge in the deep, fast-moving current.
KSAT news crews were on the scene as the situation escalated. As the water began to compromise the vehicle, Enrique was forced to climb out of his driver’s side window and pull himself onto the roof of his truck. Witnesses watched in horror as he eventually attempted to navigate the water on his own; however, the current proved too powerful. Enrique lost his footing and was briefly pulled downstream before first responders arrived to intervene.
San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) personnel successfully intercepted the man, pulling him to safety just before the situation could turn fatal.
“Well, once I got to that point, I didn’t know it was that deep,” Enrique told KSAT moments after being pulled from the water, visibly shaken. “I thought I was going to get through it, and then it stopped.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the storms that swept through the San Antonio area throughout the day. While the city experienced a brief reprieve, KSAT’s Weather Authority warns that the danger is far from over, with additional storms expected to develop overnight into Friday morning.
SAFD officials noted that they had not received any other high-water rescue calls in the immediate vicinity, but they emphasized that the decision to bypass barricades puts both the driver and the lives of first responders at unnecessary risk.
“Turn around, don’t drown,” remains the official advisory from local authorities. Officials stress that it takes only six inches of moving water to knock a person off their feet, while just one foot of water has the force to lift and sweep away a vehicle.
As recovery efforts for the submerged truck continued late Thursday, authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution. Drivers are encouraged to consult the city’s official website for real-time updates on barricaded roads and flooded intersections before heading out. With more rainfall expected in the coming hours, the city remains on high alert, and officials are pleading with the public to respect road closures and stay off the streets if travel is not essential.
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