Skip to main content
Clear icon
64ยบ

Property owners concerned about losing their homes if city flooding proposal becomes reality

City of San Antonio flooding proposal to sacrifice 100+ homes in effort to save thousands

SAN ANTONIO โ€“ A new City of San Antonio proposal aimed at flood control is sacrificing over 100 homes with the goal of saving thousands more.

Property owners in the Thompson Neighborhood area expressed a flood of emotions at a meeting on Wednesday at Brentwood Middle School.

โ€œI myself have 52 years in my home. Iโ€™ve never seen a flood that affects my home, and I live right next to the drainage ditch,โ€ Rene Enriquez said during the meeting.

The City of San Antonio has three proposals to address flooding around Highway 90 west of I-35. However, it would cost the removal of more than 100 homes. And if nothing is done, it could cost thousands of other homeowners their homes.

โ€œThe rain event that weโ€™re trying to prevent is called a 100-year rain event, and this area has never seen a 100-year rain event, and thatโ€™s what weโ€™re trying to focus on,โ€ said Robert Reyna, assistant director of Public Works. โ€œItโ€™s a tough sell to tell people something really bad could happen when something small has never really happened.โ€

Each of the three proposals has different phases, costs, and communities that it would impact. Reyna said the updated FEMA maps show the area has a 1% chance of seeing a 100-year flood.

โ€œThe important thing is that those hundred homes that get purchased are at a risk level factor, so they are at risk of getting flooded and losing their house,โ€ Reyna said. โ€œSo weโ€™re trying to move them out of harmโ€™s way, and at the same time, we can benefit people downstream.โ€

Any proposal would need to be approved by the city council before itโ€™s placed in the 2027 bond for taxpayer vote.

โ€œWeโ€™re just hoping the city does treat us fair, and if we do have to relocate, help these elderly people the best they can,โ€ said Pablo Arriaga during the meeting.

The city could also do nothing. But Reyna said that choice also comes with a significant risk.

โ€œIf there is a 100-year flood event and they lose their homes because theyโ€™re designated in a 100-year flood event, they would not be able to rebuild their homes,โ€ he said. โ€œAnd if they donโ€™t have insurance, theyโ€™re going to have a hard time finding a new place to live.โ€


About the Authors
Patty Santos headshot

Patty Santos joined the KSAT 12 News team in July 2017. She has a proven track record of reporting on hard-hitting news that affects the community.

John Paul Barajas headshot

John Paul Barajas is a reporter at KSAT 12. Previously, he worked at KRGV 5 in the Rio Grande Valley. He has a degree from the University of Houston. In his free time, he likes to get a workout in, spend time on the water and check out good eats and drinks.