Bexar County Approves $20M NextGen Flood Warning System

In response to the deadly flash floods in San Antonio that claimed 13 lives in June 2025, Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, and the San Antonio River Authority have launched the NextGen Flood Warning System, backed by a $20-21 million investment. This system will utilize advanced predictive technologies such as rain gauges, stream sensors, radar, and flood-modeling software to provide earlier alerts, enable automated road closures, and improve emergency response. The initiative aims to restore inactive flood gauges, integrate flood alerts with government websites and navigation apps, and expand sensor networks to deliver real-time data and warnings to residents. Officials emphasize that the goal is zero fatalities during major flood events, with coordinated local leadership committed to protecting residents and enhancing public safety. The system’s full implementation is expected to take two to three years, with funding shared between the county and city, reflecting a unified effort to address the critical gaps revealed by the recent floods. This program represents a significant advancement in flood preparedness, transforming emergency response from reactive to proactive.