TX Crews Swamped by Water Rescues

Sept. 04 -- Several people were rescued from flooded vehicles Monday night across San Antonio, but one roadway on the North Side stalled multiple drivers at once, causing an extended rescue operation.

About four or five drivers became stranded around 10:45 p.m. on Basse Road while trying to pass under U.S. 281.

First responders rescued at least seven people from the vehicles and ushered them to safety.

As of 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, the roadway was still barricaded off from passing drivers.

Firefighters responded to a total of 63 high water rescue calls from Monday night to Tuesday morning. Of the 63, four required firefighters to enter the water to save the victims, said Joe Arrington, a spokesman for the San Antonio Fire Department.

Arrington urges all drivers in San Antonio to avoid high water and "turn around, don't drown."

The drivers were caught up in the record-breaking rainfall across San Antonio. Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service said via social media that parts of San Antonio had up to 6.07 inches of rain, which "smashes" the daily rainfall record of 1.76 inches from 1889.

Over 9 inches of rain was observed around Stone Oak Parkway, and more than 8 inches between Shavano Park and Camp Bullis, according to the NWS website.

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