San Antonio Begins the Week With Rising Heat, Flood Recovery and Major Local Changes
Monday, July 20, 2026 | Refocused Newsroom
San Antonio is opening the new week with a sharp change in the weather, improving regional water levels, a leadership transition inside one of the city’s largest school districts and several developing government, business and public-safety stories.
After days of storms, flooding and tornado damage across South Texas, the rain is stepping aside. The summer furnace, however, is clocking back in. ☀️
Heat Returns After a Rain-Soaked Stretch
The National Weather Service’s Austin–San Antonio office reported Monday morning that South Central Texas should expect dry and hot conditions, with temperatures generally reaching the mid-to-upper 90s this week. Some communities across the southern Rio Grande Plains could reach between 100 and 103 degrees.
San Antonio’s Monday high is expected to reach approximately 95 to 96 degrees, with heat-index values approaching 100. Temperatures could rise closer to 97 or 98 degrees later in the week as high pressure strengthens over Texas.
Although the rain has ended for now, some rivers across the Nueces, Frio, San Antonio and Rio Grande basins remain elevated as floodwater continues moving downstream. Residents are still being advised to avoid flooded roads and low-water crossings.
Forecasters are also monitoring Tropical Depression Two in the northeastern Gulf. Its eventual path and possible Texas impacts remained uncertain Monday morning.
Canyon Lake Experiences Dramatic Rise
One of the most striking results of last week’s rainfall can be seen at Canyon Lake.
A July 19 reading from Water Data for Texas placed the reservoir at approximately 98% of its conservation capacity. Just one week earlier, it had been listed at approximately 60%. The rapid increase followed heavy rainfall and major rises along the Guadalupe River.
Canyon Lake’s flood-control role helped contain some of the water moving toward communities downstream. However, debris has accumulated along portions of the shoreline, and some boat ramps and recreational areas remain closed while officials inspect conditions and remove potential hazards.
The increase is welcome news for a reservoir that had spent an extended period well below normal levels, but the rapid transformation also illustrates the enormous volume of water that moved through the Hill Country during the storms.
Northside ISD Names Interim Superintendent
Northside Independent School District trustees have selected Jessica Palomares to serve as the district’s interim superintendent beginning August 1.
Palomares, a Holmes High School graduate, has worked for Northside ISD for 30 years. Her previous positions include special-education teacher, vice principal, principal, director and executive director. She has served as assistant superintendent for elementary administration since 2021.
She will temporarily succeed retiring Superintendent John Craft, who is moving into a superintendent emeritus position. Northside ISD will continue searching for a permanent superintendent.
The selection places a longtime district educator at the controls as Northside prepares for the approaching school year and navigates a leadership transition affecting thousands of students, employees and families.
Balcones Heights Government Fight Moves Through Federal Court
A political and legal struggle continues inside Balcones Heights, the small independent city surrounded by San Antonio’s Northwest Side.
Mayor Johnny Rodriguez Jr. filed a federal lawsuit against the city and several local officials after the City Council investigated workplace complaints accusing him of bullying, threatening and demeaning municipal employees. A city-commissioned report described allegations involving discriminatory comments, interference in administrative operations and a workplace culture of fear. Rodriguez disputes the report’s characterizations.
The council previously restricted the mayor’s access to parts of city facilities and limited his direct communication with employees during the investigation. Those restrictions were later lifted, but Rodriguez has continued pursuing his lawsuit, arguing that the council improperly reduced powers granted to his office under Texas law.
The conflict arrives as Balcones Heights faces an estimated $160,000 budget shortfall. City officials have also projected that legal expenses connected to the lawsuit could reach approximately $130,000 during the coming year.
$500 Million Data Center Planned Near San Antonio
The region’s technology and data-center industry continues expanding west of San Antonio.
Dallas-based CyrusOne is planning a $500 million, 460,000-square-foot data center in Castroville. According to a state filing, construction is expected to be completed by June 2027, although project details remain preliminary and could change.
The facility would become CyrusOne’s sixth data-center location in the greater San Antonio area. West Bexar County and Medina County have attracted significant investment because of their available land, power capacity, fiber infrastructure and proximity to San Antonio.
The project could strengthen the region’s technology footprint, but the continuing growth of large data centers will also keep questions about power demand, infrastructure and water usage firmly on the public agenda.
Stolen Amazon Truck Recovered in Atascosa County
A woman was arrested after authorities said an Amazon delivery truck was stolen in San Antonio and driven into neighboring Atascosa County.
Deputies reportedly found the truck stuck in deep sand with packages still inside. The woman initially refused to leave the vehicle before being taken into custody, according to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office. She faces a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, which is classified as a state-jail felony.
Authorities warned that some deliveries connected to the truck could be delayed. In a rare moment of law-enforcement comedy, the sheriff’s office noted that same-day delivery apparently does not include detours into the sand. The news cycle occasionally writes its own punchlines.
The Week Ahead
San Antonio’s immediate focus is shifting from torrential rain toward intense summer heat, but the effects of last week’s storms have not disappeared. River levels, damaged areas and recreational closures will continue requiring attention.
At the same time, major decisions involving school leadership, suburban government and technology development show that the city is not standing still. San Antonio is moving into another consequential week, carrying both the weight of recent emergencies and the momentum of a rapidly changing region.
Sources and Full Links
- National Weather Service Austin–San Antonio
https://www.weather.gov/ewx/ - San Antonio Express-News: High heat incoming across Texas
https://www.expressnews.com/san-antonio-weather/forecast/article/heat-texas-weather-monday-forecast-bertha-22351272.php - KSAT: Heat indices near 100 as dry weather returns
https://www.ksat.com/weather/2026/07/19/seasonable-with-heat-indices-near-100-as-dry-weather-holds/ - KSAT: Canyon Lake nears full conservation capacity
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/07/20/canyon-lake-reservoir-sees-dramatic-water-level-increase/ - KSAT: Northside ISD names interim superintendent
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/07/20/northside-independent-school-district-appoints-interim-superintendent/ - San Antonio Express-News: Balcones Heights mayor-city legal fight
https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/johnny-rodriguez-balcones-heights-mayor-22326709.php - San Antonio Express-News: $500 million Castroville data center
https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/cyrusone-san-antonio-data-centers-medina-22349565.php - KSAT: Stolen Amazon truck recovered in Atascosa County
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/07/20/stolen-san-antonio-amazon-truck-found-in-atascosa-county-1-arrested-sheriffs-office-says/