‘They took a real bad hit.’

Residents across San Antonio began cleaning up Saturday after severe storms Friday night left behind reports of property damage, including trees that fell on homes and vehicles.

In the Gardendale neighborhood northwest of downtown near Interstate 10, residents described the storm as particularly destructive.

Maricela Garza, who lives on Arbor Place, said her daughter was in her car when a utility pole fell on the vehicle as she tried to leave.

“My daughter was in her car,” Garza said. “She was trying to get out. The pole fell right on top of her car. Luckily, she was able to get out with no, not even a scratch, just pain and feeling so scared.”

The Garza family also reported damage to their home and that of an elderly neighbor after pieces of a metal roof from a nearby business were blown into the houses.

Other damage in the neighborhood included a tree that fell onto a vehicle and several downed utility poles.

“They took a real bad hit,” Garza said.

As daylight emerged Saturday, residents began cleanup efforts but said they needed help removing large debris and damaged trees.

“We’re looking for that assistance, like who can we call, what can we do, because we don’t have the tools to lift off or the money to lift those heavy items,” Garza said.

At a Saturday morning news conference, San Antonio city leaders said crews began assessing damage after the storms moved through Friday night. The city reported 167 reports of downed trees as crews worked to clear debris from neighborhoods and roadways.

“Our first priority is addressing any hazard that is out there in the community,” city officials said.

Officials asked residents to be patient as cleanup efforts continue, noting that additional debris reports are still coming in.

Residents can call 311 to report debris in the roadway or at their homes. Officials also encouraged residents to call if vulnerable members of the community need assistance.

Garza said many residents in the Gardendale Neighborhood Association are elderly and may need additional help with cleanup. Despite the damage, she said neighbors have come together to help one another and are looking to city leaders for support.

“We are full of family, friends, people that come together when it’s difficult times,” Garza said. “What we look for is that support that we can get from our leadership, from our officials that are in District 5.”