SAN ANTONIO – Nearly two months after 13 people lost their lives in devastating flash floods near Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel, Bexar County officials are taking action they hope will prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.
On Tuesday, the Bexar County Commissioners Court unanimously approved funding for a new flood warning system, a joint effort with the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio River Authority. The initiative—known as NextGen—will use cutting-edge predictive technology, including rain gauges, sensors, and radar, to detect rising waters at low-water crossings across the region.
We haven’t forgotten the people who died on June 12,” said County Judge Peter Sakai. “Especially here in Bexar County, we know we have to do more to protect lives.
Smarter Flood Alerts, Faster Response
The NextGen Flood Warning System is designed to revolutionize how officials respond to flash flooding. By integrating real-time data from dozens of flood-prone areas, emergency management teams will be able to issue alerts earlier, close roads faster, and redirect traffic before motorists encounter danger.
“We could essentially take the decision out of the motorist’s hands about whether they should even try or attempt to get over that low water crossing,” said David Smith, Bexar County Manager.
Assistant City Manager Jeff Coyle echoed that urgency: “The River Authority laid out its vision for this next-generation warning system, and we agreed 100%—this is the direction we need to go.”
A $21 Million Investment in Public Safety
The system is expected to cost $21 million and take two to three years to fully implement. Of that total, the San Antonio River Authority estimates $10 million will be needed to cover unincorporated and suburban areas, while another $11 million would fund installations inside San Antonio city limits.
The city has not yet budgeted its share, but Coyle emphasized that funding gaps shouldn’t delay progress.
“City taxpayers are county taxpayers,” he said. “I don’t believe most folks care what color the money is—they want us to solve this problem.”
A Community Still Healing
The June floods, which overwhelmed multiple neighborhoods, exposed serious gaps in local flood-response systems. Despite years of public education about flood risks, many low-water crossings lacked sufficient warning signs, barricades, or real-time alerts.
“Thirteen people died—mothers, fathers, children,” said Destany Fuller, a local resident who attended Tuesday’s meeting. “This is about doing right by them.”
The River Authority has not yet announced which crossings will be prioritized first, but officials say they will start with the most dangerous and heavily traveled flood-prone areas.
As work begins, leaders are hoping NextGen won’t just be a tech upgrade—it’ll be a life-saving tool for future storms.
“This isn’t just about weather data,” Smith said. “It’s about protecting people.”