You’re probably asking is it flooding in San Antonio because you've seen the dark clouds or heard about the "Flash Flood Alley" reputation this city carries. Honestly, it’s a valid fear. San Antonio has a weird relationship with water—either we have way too little of it or we’re getting hit by a "wall of water" that turns Highway 281 into a canal.
As of January 16, 2026, the short answer is no. It is not currently flooding in San Antonio. In fact, we are looking at the exact opposite problem today: fire weather.
A cold front is currently pushing through South Central Texas, bringing gusty north winds and bone-dry air. Instead of worrying about kayaks in the street, the National Weather Service (NWS) is actually keeping an eye on "near critical" fire weather conditions for this afternoon. Humidity is bottoming out. If you were planning on a backyard brush fire, maybe don't.
Why you might see low water right now
If you walked past the River Walk today and thought it looked like a muddy ditch, don't panic. You aren't seeing a drought-induced catastrophe. The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) is actually in the middle of its biennial river draining.
From January 12 through January 19, 2026, they purposefully lower the water levels in the downtown loop and parts of the Museum Reach. They do this to:
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- Scrape out the gunk (and the occasional discarded e-scooter).
- Check the structural integrity of the walls.
- Manage invasive species like those giant apple snails that look like pink blobs of bubblegum.
- Repair the very gates that actually prevent flooding when the real storms hit.
So, the river looks "broken" right now because the city is making sure it works when the spring rains eventually show up.
Is it flooding in San Antonio? Breaking down the "Flash Flood Alley" risk
San Antonio sits right at the base of the Balcones Escarpment. This is basically a giant limestone "step" where the Hill Country meets the flat coastal plains. When moisture from the Gulf of Mexico hits that rise, it gets forced up, cools, and dumps massive amounts of rain in a very short window.
Because our ground is mostly rock and clay, it doesn't soak up water well. It just runs off. Fast.
The gauges you should be watching
If you're ever truly worried about the is it flooding in San Antonio question during a storm, you need to look at the gauges, not just the sky. The NWS and SARA monitor several key points along the San Antonio River and its tributaries.
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Currently, the gauge at Loop 410 (SNPT2) shows the river stage sitting at roughly 4.8 feet. To put that in perspective, "Minor Flooding" at that location doesn't even start until the water hits 12 feet. "Major Flooding" happens at 26 feet. We are miles away from those numbers today.
Downstream at Elmendorf, the river is at about 10.7 feet. Again, that's totally normal. Action stage there doesn't start until 33 feet.
What to expect for the rest of the week
While it's dry and breezy today, the weather pattern is shifting. We’re heading into a "coldest of the season" vibe for the MLK Jr. Day weekend.
- The Freeze: Expect a widespread freeze Sunday morning. Most of San Antonio will likely dip below 32°F, so wrap your pipes and bring in the plants.
- The Rain Return: By Tuesday, January 20, moisture starts creeping back in from the Pacific.
- Wednesday Outlook: This is our next real chance for "wetting rains." While the models don't show a 1998-style flood event, the overrunning rain pattern could make for a messy, slick Wednesday commute.
A quick reality check on 2025's trauma
It’s important to acknowledge why everyone is so jumpy about San Antonio flooding lately. Last summer, in July 2025, the Hill Country got absolutely slammed. The Guadalupe River in Kerrville rose over 30 feet in just a few hours. That event killed dozens and put the NWS warning systems under a microscope.
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Because of that disaster, local officials are being way more aggressive with "Flood Watches" and "Special Weather Statements." You might get an alert on your phone for a storm that seems minor, but it’s because the soil saturation and runoff patterns have changed after the 2025 floods.
How to stay safe when it actually happens
San Antonio has more low-water crossings than almost any other major city in Texas. When people ask is it flooding in San Antonio, they're usually worried about their drive home.
Basically, if you see water over the road, just stop. Most flood-related deaths in Bexar County happen in cars. The "Turn Around, Don't Drown" slogan sounds cheesy until you realize that just 12 inches of moving water can sweep a small SUV off the road.
If you live in a flood-prone area like those near Leon Creek or the Salado Creek greenways, keep the SARA Floodgate map bookmarked. It gives you real-time data on which roads are closed.
Actionable steps for San Antonians today
Since the threat today isn't water, but rather the incoming cold and future rain, here is what you should actually do:
- Check your irrigation: With the freeze coming Sunday, make sure your sprinkler system is off and drained.
- Audit your "Go Bag": If the 2025 floods taught us anything, it's that water moves faster than the news. Have a small bag with chargers, IDs, and meds ready.
- Monitor the Tuesday transition: Watch the forecast on Monday evening. If that Pacific moisture arrives earlier than expected, the mix of cold air and rain could make the Tuesday morning commute tricky.
- Clean your gutters: Do it now while it's dry. When the Wednesday rains hit, you don't want your foundation taking a beating because of leaf-clogged downspouts.
Keep an eye on the NWS Austin/San Antonio Twitter (or X) feed for the most immediate updates. They are the ones who trigger the sirens and the phone pings. For now, enjoy the sun, but get ready for the freeze.