Sign up for TPR Today, Texas Public Radio's newsletter that brings our top stories to your inbox each morning.
The nonprofit San Antonio Aware and Prepared scheduled a candlelight vigil for Wednesday evening to remember the victims who died in a major flash flooding incident that struck San Antonio late last week.
At least six inches of rain fell in a three-hour period on Thursday, leading to more than a dozen vehicles being washed into a creek.
Organizers said the whole community is invited to attend from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at 5819 NW Loop 410.
"We will have a period of silence where attendees can meditate, pray, or reflect to honor and remember these lives lost to this tragedy," said the announcement.
More information can be found on the San Antonio Aware and Prepared Facebook page.
At least 15 mangled cars and trucks were lifted out of a creek by crane. Ten survivors were rescued, including some who were clinging to trees.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the impact of the flooding was devastating.
"Thankfully everyone who has been reported missing has been recovered," he said. "Unfortunately, we know there's a significant loss of life in what is the worst flooding event we've had in a decade."
The identified victims range in age from their 20s to their 60s. An investigation into how so many cars were swept away was underway.
Nirenberg said the city will work to reduce the impact flash flooding events have on the city.
"We also have to continue to clean up the damage and assess the damage that has occurred over the last week," he told TPR. "We're going to be working on ensuring we have adequate plans and mitigation plans in place."
In a statement about the deaths, Joe Arrington, a public information officer with the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), explained that "11 are from the Perrin Beitel search area; 1 was located several miles north (upstream) of the Perrin Beitel search area; 1 from the Hwy 90 Leon Creek area."
Authorities also released the names of most of the victims:
- Derwin Anderson — male, 43
- Roseann Cobb — female, 41
- Carlos Valdez III — male, 67
- Martha De La Torre Rangel — female, 55
- Victor Manuel Macias Castro — male, 28
- Matthew Angel Tufono — male, 51
- Christine Gonzalez — female, 29
- Rudy Garza — male, 61
- Josue Pinadelatorre — male, 28
- Andrew Sanchez — male, 60
- Brett Riley — male, 63
- Stevie Richards — male, 42
Copyright 2025 Texas Public Radio