Heavy rainfall in southern Texas has resulted in devastating flash floods, leaving at least 10 people dead and several others unaccounted for, officials confirmed on Friday.

The city of San Antonio was among the hardest hit, with torrential rains beginning early Thursday.

The intense downpour triggered sudden floods that swept vehicles off roads and into creek beds, local station KENS5 reported.

Emergency crews from the San Antonio Fire Department were actively searching for at least four people still missing, as rescue and recovery efforts intensified.

By Friday afternoon, city authorities confirmed the death toll had risen to 10.

“Our thoughts are with the families grieving the loss of loved ones due to this week’s flooding, as well as those still waiting for word on the missing,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg posted on X.

He also expressed gratitude to first responders: “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our San Antonio emergency teams and their families for their unwavering commitment during these recovery operations.”

City authorities reported that emergency crews had carried out more than 70 water rescues and responded to 16 high-water incidents since the onset of the floods.

Experts have consistently cautioned that climate change fueled by human activities and emissions from fossil fuels is making extreme weather events like intense rainfall more frequent, severe, and prolonged.