Natural Disasters in San Antonio: What Should You Prepare For? - San Antonio - 1

When I first mentioned moving to San Antonio, the first question people asked me was whether hurricanes were common here.

Since Texas often brings to mind the Gulf Coast, many assume that hurricanes are a frequent occurrence. However, San Antonio is located quite inland, far from the coast, so it rarely experiences hurricanes directly. When a hurricane moves inland, it loses its strength from the ocean and dissipates.

Instead, weakened tropical storms can bring heavy rain, leading to different situations. Therefore, in San Antonio, it's more important to be cautious of "water" rather than wind.

The greatest natural disaster risk in San Antonio is flash flooding. The unique limestone terrain of the Hill Country does not absorb rain quickly, causing rivers and low-lying areas to flood rapidly during heavy downpours. The San Antonio River, which is usually a peaceful spot for tourists, transforms completely during intense rainfall.

San Antonio has a long history of flooding. In the major flood of 1921, 51 people lost their lives, which led to the creation of the current River Walk and flood control systems.

However, many people thought, "Isn't it safer now with the improved systems?" only to be reminded of the events of 2025.

In June 2025, over six inches of rain fell in just a few hours in the northeastern part of San Antonio, sweeping several vehicles near Perrin Beitel and Loop 410 into the rushing waters.

This flood resulted in at least 13 fatalities and dozens of rescues. Some areas recorded nearly four inches of rain per hour, and Beitel Creek and Salado Creek flooded in an instant.

Natural Disasters in San Antonio: What Should You Prepare For? - San Antonio - 2

What was particularly shocking was that most of the damage occurred not "in the middle of the river" but on ordinary roads and intersections.

Roads that seemed harmless transformed into rivers in just a few minutes. Therefore, in San Antonio, the phrase "Turn Around, Don't Drown" is taken very seriously.

Even shallow-looking water can sweep vehicles away in an instant. In fact, data from the San Antonio Fire Department shows that there are specific intersections where vehicle flooding rescues occur repeatedly.

Additionally, in the summer of 2025, significant flooding also occurred in the nearby Hill Country area. The Central Texas flood in 2025, originating from the Guadalupe River basin, resulted in over 100 deaths and shocked the entire state of Texas.

Campgrounds and riverside communities in Kerr County suffered extensive damage, and San Antonio residents were reminded that "we must never let our guard down regarding floods in this area."

Tornadoes cannot be completely ignored either. San Antonio lies on the southern edge of Tornado Alley, and watches or warnings are often issued in the spring.

While not as frequent as in Dallas, strong thunderstorms and hail are experienced every year. Therefore, one of the first things to do after moving here is to enable notifications from the National Weather Service on your phone.

Another event to remember is the winter storm Winter Storm Uri in 2021. During that time, San Antonio also experienced power outages and water service interruptions lasting several days.

Texas is generally weak in winter infrastructure, so a single cold snap can disrupt city functions. As a result, locals still tend to stockpile essentials like bottled water, flashlights, and power bank batteries.

San Antonio is a city that is very sensitive to heavy rain and flooding. However, unlike California, there is little concern about major earthquakes, and there is no tsunami risk. Ultimately, what's important in this city is "not to underestimate the roads on rainy days."

In fact, those who have lived here for a long time often prefer to stay home on rainy days. It's not out of fear, but because they have seen firsthand how dangerous the waterways in San Antonio can be.

So what are the advantages? The biggest advantage of the weather in San Antonio is that "there are no extremely uncomfortable seasons."

Compared to other major cities in the U.S., this is quite noticeable. For example, Chicago or New York has long, harsh winters that effectively limit outdoor activities for months. Conversely, Phoenix has such intense summers that going outside during the day can be burdensome. However, San Antonio has short, mild winters, resulting in lower heating costs, and snow rarely disrupts daily life.

Another positive aspect is the amount of sunshine. With many sunny days throughout the year, there is less depression and it's easier to maintain an active lifestyle. Compared to cities like Seattle, where cloudy days can stretch on for long periods, the difference is quite significant. Spring and fall are also relatively long and pleasant, providing many opportunities for golf, walks, and outdoor activities.

In terms of humidity, it is less sticky than in eastern major cities, so even with summer heat, the feeling of suffocation is relatively low. Overall, I believe that San Antonio's biggest advantage is that it has "comfortable weather" rather than "perfect weather," resulting in significantly less extreme stress.