safety
Crystal City mom recalls helicopter crew rescuing her family from floodwaters
By Pachatta Pope, Jarryd Luna at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 19, 2026
· 3 min read
Crystal City resident Rebecca Bookout said family in Uvalde alerted her floodwaters there were heading toward her, but she said she didn’t know it was coming the way it did.“We kept checking the Espantosa ... it was really high,” she said.But Bookout, who lives near the waterway, said instead of ...
Key takeaway But Bookout, who lives near the waterway, said instead of the Espantosa being the immediate threat Friday morning around 10 a.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The dramatic rescue of the Bookout family from floodwaters in Crystal City underscores the critical role that local military units play in responding to natural disasters in the San Antonio area. The Texas Army National Guard's Alamo Dustoff Unit, based at Martindale Army Airfield in San Antonio, demonstrated its capabilities in conducting swift and effective rescues. The unit's air ambulance and medical evacuation expertise was instrumental in saving the Bookout family, including their young children. This incident highlights the importance of having trained and equipped military units in the region, ready to respond to emergencies at a moment's notice. As the San Antonio area continues to experience extreme weather events, the community can take comfort in knowing that units like the Alamo Dustoff are prepared to provide critical support when needed. The Bookout family's harrowing experience serves as a testament to the bravery and selflessness of the men and women who serve in these units.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Crystal City resident Rebecca Bookout said family in Uvalde alerted her floodwaters there were heading toward her, but she said she didn’t know it was coming the way it did.“We kept checking the Espantosa ... it was really high,” she said.But Bookout, who lives near the waterway, said instead of ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Pachatta Pope, Jarryd Luna at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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