Nicole Lynn Keller Obituary, Death; 43-year-old San Antonio woman ID’d as victim of August flooding drowning.
Nicole Lynn Keller Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified one of the two people who lost their lives during the flash flooding that struck San Antonio at the end of August. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victim as 43-year-old Nicole Lynn Keller, who was swept away when heavy rains triggered dangerous flooding across parts of the city.
According to officials, Keller’s body was recovered in Salado Creek on the city’s north side the morning after the storms, along with that of an unidentified man who is also believed to have been caught in the floodwaters. San Antonio police explained that the discovery came after friends of the two reported them missing. Police Chief William McManus noted at the time that both victims may have been homeless and in the area near the 12500 block of Maltsberger Road when the waters surged.
The medical examiner determined that Keller’s official cause of death was drowning.
The August 31 storm dropped 3.11 inches of rain at San Antonio International Airport, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). That single night of rainfall nearly equaled the city’s entire typical monthly average, which is about 2.41 inches, based on long-term climate data. It also marked the bulk of the precipitation San Antonio received for the summer, as July had been unusually dry.
This deadly flooding came just two months after another catastrophic weather event. On June 12, San Antonio endured its rainiest day in over a decade, with 6.12 inches recorded at the airport. That deluge caused widespread flash flooding that left 13 people dead, most of them found in the Perrin Beitel area on the north side. There, fast-moving water swept cars off roadways and into nearby creeks, overwhelming drivers caught in traffic.
The string of deadly floods has renewed urgent calls from city and state leaders to prioritize infrastructure improvements aimed at flood prevention. City officials argue that outdated drainage systems and vulnerable roadways need upgrades to protect residents and reduce future loss of life.
In response, San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has pledged to push forward with mitigation projects. On Monday, she visited several flood control and drainage sites currently under development. In a statement, Jones emphasized that stronger infrastructure is not only critical to public safety but also to reducing long-term economic costs.
“There are significant infrastructure needs throughout the city, including flood prevention and mitigation projects from Rock Creek to Huebner Creek that can help protect the safety of residents, curb long-term costs, and enable economic development,” Mayor Jones said. She also stressed her commitment to working alongside the City Council and state officials to secure funding and ensure that projects are prioritized to address residents’ needs.
For now, the Keller family and the broader San Antonio community are left mourning another life lost to flooding. With one victim still unidentified and questions lingering about how to prevent further tragedies, the call for action has only grown louder.
