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Nueces River reaches major flood stage in Cotulla & a TS Bertha update
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Justin Horne , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 21, 2026
· 2 min read
FORECAST HIGHLIGHTS NUECES RIVER: Reaches major flood stage this morning T.S. BERTHA: Slight strengthening today, then weaker as she moves toward TX TRIPLE DIGITS: Good chance SA sees first 100° day on Wednesday FORECAST NUECES RIVER FLOODING AT COTULLA (4AM UPDATE) With an estimated 480 billion ...
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Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Justin Horne, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The swell along the Nueces has reached Cotulla and the river is now at major flood stage, reaching near 20 feet.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The major flood stage of the Nueces River in Cotulla has significant implications for San Antonio, as the river's swollen waters make their way downstream. Residents in low-lying areas along the river should be prepared for potential flooding and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The expected rise of 3-4 more feet by tonight will likely exacerbate the situation, and the prolonged major flood stage into the weekend will test the city's flood mitigation measures. Meanwhile, the approaching heat wave, with temperatures potentially reaching 105° in areas south of town, will further strain the city's resources. The combination of flooding and extreme heat will require careful management from local authorities to prevent a humanitarian crisis. San Antonio's emergency services and flood control infrastructure will be put to the test in the coming days, making it crucial for residents to stay informed and follow evacuation instructions if necessary.
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: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? FORECAST HIGHLIGHTS NUECES RIVER: Reaches major flood stage this morning T.S. BERTHA: Slight strengthening today, then weaker as she moves toward TX TRIPLE DIGITS: Good chance SA sees first 100° day on Wednesday FORECAST NUECES RIVER FLOODING AT COTULLA (4AM UPDATE) With an estimated 480 billion ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Justin Horne 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 local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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