Self-driving taxi company Waymo is temporarily suspending services in San Antonio after one of its robo-vehicles was swept away in Monday’s floodwaters, News 4 SA reports.
The unoccupied vehicle was swept away after it entered a flooded road, the station reports, citing company officials. Some parts of San Antonio experienced more than 6 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period, according to the National Weather Service.
Waymo officials said they’re working with local authorities to recover the automobile. Meanwhile, the automated vehicles will be taken off the streets — and during Fiesta no less.
“Safety is our highest priority at Waymo, both for people who choose to ride with us and those with whom we share the streets,” a Waymo spokesperson said in a statement provided to the NBC affiliate. “As a result of the flooding in San Antonio, we temporarily paused our local operations and are continuing to monitor road conditions.”
Parts of San Antonio approached record levels of rainfall on Monday alone. San Antonio Airport came close to an all-time record for single-day rainfall, which was set in 1926, according to News 4 Meteorologist Chris Suchan.
The flash flooding caused road closures and cancellations of Fiesta events Monday night, including the Texas Cavaliers River Parade.
San Antonio drivers received emergency alerts Monday via mobile phone notifying them of the potentially life-threatening situation and advising them to avoid travel if possible. The alerts also urged residents “turn around, don’t drown” should they encounter a flooded roadway.
Some streets were still closed as scattered showers continued at press time Tuesday. At least one person has so far died in the flash flooding, according to the San Antonio Fired Department.
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