One Missing, Over 30,000 Affected as San Angelo Declares Disaster

SAN ANGELO, TX — One person remains missing and more than 30,000 people may have been affected by historic flooding across San Angelo and Tom Green County, where officials have signed disaster declarations and begun the process of seeking state assistance.

During a second press conference Friday afternoon, local leaders said the floods have displaced an unknown number of residents and caused widespread damage, primarily in the city’s north and northeast neighborhoods.

“This has been a life-changing event for many of our residents here in San Angelo,” said Police Chief Travis Griffith.

Griffith said no deaths have been confirmed from the flooding, but one person remains missing as search efforts continue in a specific area of town, though officials have not yet released further details about the individual or the circumstances.

"We're working a particular area of town, and we're working through that," Griffith said regarding the missing person. "If it expands beyond that particular part of town, then we will put that out." 

Mayor Tom Thompson estimated that more than 30,000 people across San Angelo may have been affected by flooding, particularly in the north and northeast neighborhoods, where homes, streets and businesses were flooded. Officials cautioned that it’s too early to know exactly how many residents have been displaced or suffered property damage. 

Mayor Tom Thompson and Tom Green County Judge Lane Carter conducted an aerial survey Friday, observing heavy flooding from Loop 306 and Bell Street east to Chadbourne Street, with significant impacts around Navajo and Aztec drives, and Lake View Heroes Drive.

“From the air, it’s widespread,” Carter said. “We’ve seen it and mapped it out as much as possible to know where we are going to be assessing that damage… so we can hopefully get some assistance statewide.”

Officials said disaster declarations were formally signed and sent to the governor’s office Friday afternoon. The threshold for state relief for Tom Green County is $556,414.26, and local leaders believe damages have far exceeded that amount, though precise totals are still being gathered.

Sheriff Nick Hanna reported that while many roads are reopening, some remain flooded, including parts of FM 765 and FM 2334. He urged people in low-lying areas to consider relocating through the weekend.

“Water levels are receding on our roadways, but if your home is in a low-lying area going forward this weekend, you may want to find some alternate plans,” Hanna said.

San Angelo Police received nearly 1,000 calls for service in 12 hours, with nearly 400 requiring emergency response. Griffith said initial estimates of water rescues have been refined to just under 100 actual rescues, as duplicate calls were consolidated.

“The fire department put themselves in harm’s way over and over again,” Griffith said. “Our officers on the street showed up in force and got into the water… We even had citizens show up with their boats and start going out there rescuing people.”

Officials also addressed reports of a fire engine seen submerged in floodwaters near the Bell Street bridge. While details remain unconfirmed, Mayor Tom Thompson said it appeared to be an older fire truck originally purchased by a volunteer fire department rather than a current city vehicle. He noted that numerous volunteer departments, some from as far away as Crockett County and Fort Worth, responded to assist during the flooding, sometimes self-dispatching to rescue operations. Officials are still working to determine whether the fire engine was involved in an active rescue when it became stranded.

Public Works Director Shane Kelton said the Bell Street gaging station peaked at 18 feet, one of its highest readings ever, but had dropped to about eight or nine feet by Friday afternoon. Despite receding waters, significant debris remains across the city.

Residents are urged to document property damage with photos and measurements for potential assistance. Debris should be placed at the curb—not in streets—and details on collection plans will be announced soon. The city landfill remains closed to the public and is open only for commercial and disaster relief operations.

For those needing shelter, officials advised residents to go to PaulAnn Baptist Church, 2531 Smith Blvd., before 7 p.m. After that, residents should call the San Angelo Police Department non-emergency line at 325-657-4315, or dial 2-1-1 for resources.

Assistance will be available for those in need on Saturday, July 5, with intake beginning at 11 a.m. at PaulAnn Church. 

United Way is accepting non-perishable donations at 325-949-3716, and monetary donations can be made through the San Angelo Area Foundation at saafound.org. The Red Cross can be reached at 1-800-733-2767 for assistance.

Officials plan another press conference Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at San Angelo City Hall to provide further updates.

Visit drivetexas.org to view closed roads.

Read more of our coverage here: 

• Flash Flood Emergency Issued in San Angelo After Heavy Rainfall

• Flood Response Prompts Donation Efforts; July 4 Event Postponed

• Affordable Storage Offers Free Storage to San Angelo Flooding Victims