San Angelo Marks 1-Year Anniversary of Historic July 4 Flood

SAN ANGELO, TX — There’s no rain in the forecast for what’s expected to be a hot July 4 this year.

It’s quite a contrast from last year when San Angelo experienced 14 inches of rain that flooded the city.

It was the most rain ever recorded in a single day in San Angelo’s history, and it caused millions of dollars of damage and claimed the life of one woman — 62-year-old Tanya Burwick.

There were nearly 100 rescues performed, or the death toll could have been much worse.

The San Angelo Police Department said it received more than 900 calls for service in 12 hours with almost 400 requiring emergency response. 

More than 100 families had to be placed in temporary housing.

San Angelo residents will forever remember images of flooded neighborhoods with boats saving people from their homes, while water on the Houston Harte Expressway rose so high it nearly reached the Bell Street overpass.

Despite all of it, San Angelo also had to only look to its Hill Country neighbors to know how fortunate it was.

There were 139 fatalities reported from devastating flooding in the Hill Country, most of which occurred in Kerr County, where there were 117 deaths, including a 72-year-old San Angelo man, Steve Edwards.

Perhaps the worst of all was at Camp Mystic outside of Hunt, where 25 girls were swept away by the Guadalupe River, killing them along with two counselors and the camp’s owner.

All told, it was a devastating time for Texas, but communities rallied together and took care of one another.

Here’s hoping for a safe July 4 weekend this year as the Concho Valley and our fellow Texans continue to heal.