Full Breakdown
Tornado Strikes Northwest San Antonio, Leaving Widespread Property Damage
7/16/2026, 1:22:35 PM
Core Event
A tornado touched down on Wednesday morning on the northwest side of San Antonio, crossing Interstate 10 between The Dominion and Shavano Park. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Tornado Warning for Bexar County at about 8 a.m. and later confirmed the vortex’s path. The storm remained on the ground for roughly one minute, producing visible power flashes as it ripped through power lines.
Damage and Immediate Impact
The funnel caused significant damage to the Palladium IMAX theater, the Oasis San Antonio apartment complex, and multiple storefronts along The Rim. At the Oasis complex, a large portion of a roof was torn off, affecting three fourth-floor units. Scaffolding, trees, signage and other structures also suffered damage. Thousands of residents lost electricity, and CPS Energy reported that lightning strikes and storm-damaged infrastructure continued to create outages throughout the day. No injuries have been reported.
Official Responses
San Antonio fire officials dispatched crews to 6023 UTSA Blvd and the surrounding area, assessing multiple properties and confirming that no one was hurt. CPS Energy President and CEO Rudy Garza warned that “some electrical circuits must be temporarily de-energized so crews can safely repair damaged power lines.” UTSA Police Chief Stephanie Schoenborn said the university is coordinating with the American Red Cross and city police to aid displaced students. The NWS announced it will conduct a post-event survey to determine the tornado’s exact path and strength.
Eyewitness Accounts
Resident William Hodges recounted, “I honestly didn’t even know it was a tornado until after I got the alert like 10 minutes later.” Fire Chief David Frausto noted that firefighters arrived just before 8 a.m. and found extensive roof loss at the Oasis apartments, but confirmed no injuries after a thorough search.
What’s Next
Flash-flood warnings remain active across the San Antonio area, and forecasters expect additional rounds of heavy rain later in the day. Emergency crews continue to clear debris, secure hazardous sites and restore power where possible.
