local
San Antonio livestock sanctuary trapped by flooding, left with significant damages
By Stephanie Koithan at San Antonio Current (alt-weekly)
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
San Antonio -area livestock sanctuary Winding Branch Ranch has been left with significant damages after Wednesday’s devastating floods. “Let’s just say I was in complete disbelief,” ranch Executive Director Matthew Aversa posted in the caption of an online video showing the floodwaters overtaking ...
Key takeaway “Let’s just say I was in complete disbelief,” ranch Executive Director Matthew Aversa posted in the caption of an online video showing the floodwaters overtaking four acres of animal paddocks on the 9-acre property.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The flooding of Winding Branch Ranch is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of local animal sanctuaries to extreme weather events. As a community that values its rural heritage and outdoor spaces, San Antonio must consider the impact of flooding on these types of facilities. The sanctuary's location in a flood-prone area puts not only the animals at risk but also the staff and volunteers who care for them. The significant damages to the ranch will likely require a substantial investment to repair, which could divert resources away from the sanctuary's core mission of providing a safe haven for livestock. This incident may prompt local officials to reexamine the city's flood mitigation strategies and consider measures to support animal sanctuaries in flood-prone areas, such as providing emergency funding or offering technical assistance to help them prepare for and respond to flooding events.
About this story
Original reporting by San Antonio Current (alt-weekly) . 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 San Antonio Current (alt-weekly) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: San Antonio Current (alt-weekly) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? San Antonio-area livestock sanctuary Winding Branch Ranch has been left with significant damages after Wednesday’s devastating floods. “Let’s just say I was in complete disbelief,” ranch Executive Director Matthew Aversa posted in the caption of an online video showing the floodwaters overtaking ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by San Antonio Current (alt-weekly) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephanie Koithan at San Antonio Current (alt-weekly). 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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