CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The city of San Antonio will be assisting the state in its response to Hurricane Hanna, as announced by Governor Greg Abbott.

The governor briefed residents on the state’s hurricane response plan Saturday afternoon in Austin.

Hurricane Hanna is expected to make landfall Saturday and is categorized as a Category 1 hurricane. Residents are urged to stay in place during the storm, not only to stay safe from the storm, but also to social distance, as the area is one of the most impacted by the coronavirus in the state.

“Any hurricane is an enormous challenge. This challenge is complicated and even more severe, seeing as it is sweeping through an area most challenged by COVID-19 in the state,” Abbott said.

San Antonio’s Freeman Coliseum will serve as a reception center for hurricane evacuees. Anyone that arrives at the coliseum will receive information about available hotel rooms, according to city officials.

In an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, officials said they will be utilizing hotel rooms in San Antonio and other areas to help residents and provide a way to maintain social distancing.

Shelters housing hurricane victims and nursing homes impacted by the hurricane will be sanitized to help contain the spread of the virus as well, officials say.

The governor also issued emergency disaster declaration for 32 Texas counties that will allow for federal resources to assist in the aftermath and recovery from the hurricane, including federal and mitigation assistance, among other emergency resources. The declaration will also waive any laws that might hinder a county’s recovery efforts.

The counties affected include Aransas, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Dimmit, Duval, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Matagorda, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, and Zapata counties.

The hurricane is expected to bring severe and flash flooding, strong winds and could produce tornadoes in the area, according to Abbott.

On Saturday afternoon, one tornado warning was already issued north and northeast of Corpus Christi, according to Abbott. Others could also arise, and Abbott said it’s expected that the storm will produce substantial property damage due to flooding and winds as well.

You can watch the full briefing from the governor in the video player above.

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