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Bexar County Unveils $21 Million NextGen Flood Warning System

Predictive closures of roughly 198 low‑water crossings will use real‑time data, navigation‑app alerts, automated gates to help prevent vehicle flood fatalities.

North Interstate 35 and Seguin Road closes after a flood in early May. Bexar County leaders on Tuesday urged residents to sign up for text alerts when gates that block access to flood-plone roads are shut. 
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Overview

  • Bexar County unveiled the NextGen Flood Warning System Tuesday, announcing a $21 million plan to move from gauge‑triggered closings to forecast‑driven flood responses.
  • The system uses predictive modeling fed by radar, rain gauges and upstream sensors to lower automated gate arms before water reaches road level at about 198 planned sites.
  • The San Antonio River Authority will operate and maintain the gauges, run the text and email alert service, and push real‑time gate closures to Google Maps and Waze.
  • County commissioners allocated an initial $500,000 for a multilingual public campaign called “Floods Don’t Care” and officials said a phased countywide rollout is targeted for completion by 2028.
  • Several upgraded gauges are already online and residents can subscribe at bexarflood.org for location alerts, but officials warned that some crossings still lack signage and asked people to report problems to SARA.