San Angelo Police Release Footage of Fourth of July Flood Rescues

SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo Police Department has released drone footage capturing rescue operations and widespread damage from the major flooding event that struck the city on July 4.

The video, published on the City of San Angelo’s official YouTube channel, features narrated commentary by Chief Travis Griffith and shows dramatic scenes of water rescues and inundated neighborhoods across the city.

One clip depicts Fort Worth Fire Department personnel from Texas Task Force 1 conducting a swift-water rescue of a stranded motorist and a father and young son clinging to a pole. Other scenes show local officers and firefighters assisting residents trapped in vehicles and homes as floodwaters surged through streets and properties.

“This day has drastically altered many people’s lives in our community,” Griffith said in the video, calling the efforts of first responders and community members “nothing short of heroes showing up in the face of adversity and putting their life on the line to save others.”

Griffith noted the use of an armored personnel carrier to navigate high water for rescues and highlighted specific areas that experienced significant flooding, including streets near Houston Harte Expressway, Bell Street, Pulliam Street, Preusser Street, and a trailer park where some units were swept downstream.

The footage was filmed by the department’s drone team, which Griffith said worked more than 20 hours during the flood response. Faces of those rescued were blurred to protect privacy.

The floodwaters, which rose significantly in the early hours of July 4, left extensive damage and prompted large-scale emergency operations involving the San Angelo Police Department, San Angelo Fire Department, Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Parks and Wildlife game wardens, and other agencies.

Griffith expressed gratitude to all responders and asked the community to keep in their thoughts those who suffered losses or injuries during the disaster.