# Waymo restarts San Antonio after flood disaster

> The robotaxi company brings service back to Texas five months after vehicles got swept away in April flooding.
- Title: Waymo restarts San Antonio after flood disaster · TechCrunch
- Summary: The robotaxi company brings service back to Texas five months after vehicles got swept away in April flooding. Waymo is returning to San Antonio with…
- Keywords: waymo, robotaxis, san antonio, autonomous vehicles, flooding, software update, texas, safety recall, transportation, technology, startups, restarts
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/17/waymo-restarts-san-antonio-service-five-months-after-flooding-troubles
- Author: Sean O'Kane
- Published: 2026-09-17T18:30:30+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: waymo, robotaxis, san antonio, autonomous vehicles, flooding, software update, texas, safety recall, transportation, technology, startups
## Waymo's San Antonio disaster
In April, multiple Waymo robotaxis got stuck during heavy flooding. The vehicles slowed but didn't stop as they approached waterlogged streets, leading to one being swept away.
## Recall and restrictions follow
Waymo issued a recall in May and restricted its robotaxis from driving in areas with elevated flooding risk. The company briefly paused operations in other Texas cities too.
## Service returns with upgrades
Five months later, Waymo is restarting paid rides in San Antonio with dozens of vehicles covering a 60-mile area including downtown and the airport.
## Better water detection software
Waymo told the San Antonio Express-News it has made software changes to help robotaxis better detect and avoid standing water in the future.
## Expanding across America
Waymo now offers paid rides in 15 U.S. cities after resuming services in other Texas locations that were briefly paused.
## Key takeaway

Waymo is returning to San Antonio with improved software to detect standing water, showing the company can recover from safety failures and adapt its technology.