A Tornado Crossed I-10 Between The Dominion and Shavano Park Wednesday Morning as Dangerous Storms Brought Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding Across South Texas
A tornado touched down on San Antonio’s North Side Wednesday morning, damaging the Santikos Palladium theater near The Rim and at least two apartment complexes as slow-moving storms continued to drench South Texas.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado crossed Interstate 10 between The Dominion and Shavano Park. The twister was first reported near Shavano Park at approximately 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, July 15.
Videos shared on social media showed a funnel moving through the northwestern portion of the city as debris scattered across roads and commercial properties.
No deaths or injuries related to the tornado had been reported as of Wednesday morning.
Storm damage was reported at the Santikos Palladium IMAX theater at The Rim, where debris and broken tree branches were visible outside the building.
The Oasis San Antonio apartments were also damaged. Authorities said two apartment complexes were affected, although the full extent of the structural damage remained under assessment Wednesday.
Several nearby businesses and attractions temporarily closed or reported damage. Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Hurricane Harbor closed because of a power interruption, but park officials said employees were safe and no structural damage had been identified.
Bass Pro Shops reported minor damage but remained open, while other businesses near The Rim were evaluating their properties before reopening.
Flash-Flood Threat Continues Across San Antonio
The tornado developed as a slow-moving weather system brought repeated rounds of heavy rain across San Antonio, the Hill Country and communities west of the city.
Flash flood warnings were issued Wednesday morning for portions of Bexar County, including Cross Mountain, Helotes, Leon Valley and Castle Hills. A broader flood watch covering more than 20 South Central Texas counties remained in effect through 9 p.m. Thursday.
Some communities received between 4 and 6 inches of rain within 24 hours, with additional rainfall expected. Forecasters warned that repeated storms over already saturated ground could quickly flood roads, creeks and low-water crossings.
Tornado crossing I-10 at La Cantera looking South
by u/jjdlg in sanantonio
Residents were urged to avoid driving through flooded roads. Even relatively shallow moving water can sweep away a vehicle.
The heaviest rainfall had been reported in Uvalde County, where some areas received as much as 16 inches. Officials in Uvalde reported at least two dozen high-water rescues and opened a local event center for residents displaced by flooding.
More than a dozen roads west of San Antonio were closed or considered impassable Wednesday morning. Despite the widespread flooding, no deaths had been reported as of Wednesday morning.
Tropical Moisture Fuels Repeated Storms
Monte Oaks, a National Weather Service meteorologist, described the system as a recurring midsummer tropical weather pattern created by a stagnant low-pressure center.
“This is called a typical mid-summer tropical weather pattern that happens in Texas,” Oaks said. “About once every five years, we’ll get socked in with a daily recurrence of heavy rain chances.”
The rainfall is being fueled primarily by tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, along with some moisture from the Pacific Ocean.
Forecasters said isolated areas could receive between 10 and 20 inches of rain before the system moves out Thursday evening. Areas west of San Antonio and north of U.S. Highway 90 faced some of the greatest flooding concerns.
Aftermath of Tornado that hit RIM area and DOMINION.
— Tim Morrow (@MananaZoo) July 15, 2026
This is front of Palladium
🎥 Melissa pic.twitter.com/iQdt7bVuTf
Disaster Declaration Covers 59 Counties
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration covering 59 Texas counties because of the continuing threat of flash flooding and severe weather.
The declaration allows the state to deploy emergency personnel, rescue teams and other resources more quickly. State emergency officials were operating around the clock as storms continued across southwestern, central and southeastern Texas.
Flash flood warnings were also posted in parts of Kerr County, where catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River killed more than 100 people in July 2025. County officials said they were communicating with summer camps and retreat centers in areas where river flooding could occur.
Residents should continue monitoring National Weather Service alerts and local emergency notifications as additional storms remain possible through Thursday.
