Palo Alto College

San Antonio, Texas

Jennifer Coker	Fall 1998
History 1302	Hines

SMALL TOWN HISTORY: FLOOD OF 1998

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After the flood many homes have been reduced to a pile of rubble.

On the weekend of October 17, 1998, Central Texas experienced a massively devastating and deadly flood. Governor George Bush visited and declared a state disaster and asked for federal aid for up to 60 counties.

The weekend flooding forced 5,200 people into 41 area shelters. Red Cross and the Salvation Army are two of the many organizations who are trying to take care of immediate needs such as food, clothing, and temporary shelter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will set up offices here in a few days and begin taking applications from residents and local businesses. The two basic forms of aid available are grants and loans.

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Homes were not the most important thing lost, 24 people in Bexar County have been killed. Most from drowning as a result of fast moving water dragging and submerging their vehicles. Knowing that all of my family is safe makes me feel very fortunate, and puts loses in perspective.

Humans were not the only displaced victims that had to be rescued and were homeless. The Texas Zoo in Victoria had to be evacuated when the Guadalupe River encircled the park. Staffers had to free many of the 275 animals native to Texas. The rescued animals are being housed in four local clinics waiting for the zoo to be repaired so they can return "home".

Harmony Stahl washes mud off of dishes salvaged from her home. The dishes were among the few possessions that weren't destroyed or washed away when the flood engulfed their home.

Wilson County was another hard hit area. County Judge Martha Schnabel signed an emergency order declaring Wilson County a disaster area and requested state and federal aid. La Vernia, Southerland Springs, and Canada Verde were the hardest hit. This has been the worst flooding in Wilson County history caused by the San Antonio and Cibilo Creeks simultaneously flooding. Most of La Vernia was underwater for 2 days with many residents flooded in. An estimated 1,500 homes were damaged with 700 families in temporary housing.

Many businesses in San Antonio and surrounding areas were also hit hard by the flood of torrential rains. Business owners scrambled to clean up the mess and answer demands for their services. A tentative dollar amount was expected of damage to San Antonio businesses by the American Red Cross and San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, in New Braunfels where 20 inches of rain fell over the weekend, estimates for the at least 85 damaged businesses was set at 40 million dollars, which will likely rise.

Although many businesses were adversely affected, many have profited. Stores such as Home Depot that sell items to repair plumbing and electrical problems and also necessary tools for cleanup such as rakes and shovels have experienced record sales. Motels and pet kennels are another example of businesses that have profitted from stranded tourists and homeless flood victims seeking shelter. Other businesses that were not affected but were inaccessible because of high water are trying to get the word out that they are open and ready.

Next comes a flurry of damage repair and remodeling. Beware of shady contractors who are disreputable repair persons who follow disasters. Immediately after the flood while victims are generally tramatized, they go through neighborhoods and ask for cash advancements, then take the money and leave the area. Several cases have already been reported and are currently being investigated by several agencies. There are three guidlines to follow according to Ron Dusek, press secretary for the Texas attorney general's office they are as follows:

Give no money up front. That includes credit card numbers or authorization to checking accounts.
Ask for and be sure and check references.
Look for reputable repair services locally.

By following these three guidlines you can avoid being victimized twice.

I remember watching the flood coverage on television Saturday afternoon. My family and I listened to see what areas were going to be affected. Our neighbor called and said the city had advised for us to stay in our homes because the Olmos Dam water would not affect the Salado Creek near our homes. While we sat safe and dry in our living room we stared in disbelief at the rising water all over the city and our hearts went out to those whose homes were going under.

We never realized a few hours later we would be in waist high water trying to escape and that our neighbors would be being rescued off of their roofs and fence posts. Hours later while waist high in cold, fast rushing water I felt like I was watching a movie. Reality hit when our belongings started floating past me.

Later from down the street I could only watch as my 73 year old grandfather stood looking at his home, vehicles and property go under and float away. Even now I have flashbacks when I am at the property and it makes me cry. It may seem petty but it is awfully hard to watch people go through and throw away your belongings. All those little things add up and there are lots of things you can not replace such as family heirlooms, awards, pictures and antiques. My experience is not unique, it is one felt by hundreds of others all over Central Texas.

One thing my family has learned is, home is wherever you are as long as you are together. Hopefully soon the homework will be caught up everyday necessities will be replaced and homes that can be salvaged will be repaired. This experience has definitely given me much more compassion for others and appreciation for life.

Photo Gallery

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Kitchen, livingroom, and office furniture covered in mud and forced into one room of a 73 year old man's house.	Hallway bookshelf with a container of rice that floated from the kitchen.	My piano and hope chest with keepsakes ruined by flood water.

Kitchen and appliances filled with mud. Notice the high water marks along the wall and refrigerator.	Antique Victrola that has been in the flood victim's family for generations.	My grandfather's antique pump organ turned on it's back after floating in four feet of water for hours.

Antique chest full of clothes dating back to the early 1900's. This home that was flooded had been declared a historical site.	This ceiling damage was caused by the home being washed off of it's foundation and hitting a tree.	This wall clearly shows a three foot high water line.

This storage shed collapsed and folded up from the pressure of the rapidly rushing waters.	What used to be the Old Corpus Christi Road was a quarter mile wide river for 30 hours.	Debris caught on the fence after the water receded.


Flood victims and families waiting for the waters to recede.	This home was in the process of being remodeled at the time of the flood.

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