SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County officials and San Antonio personnel are preparing for possible flooding, storm damage and evacuations as Hurricane Harvey makes its way to the Texas coast.
Buses and EMS units from across Texas are set up and ready for deployment from the staging area at the AT&T Center.
A spokesman for Mayor Ron Nirenberg's office says 40 buses pulled Thursday ahead of Harvey.
Around 20 ambulances are also expected to be the AT&T Center by Thursday evening.
County crews are ready with chainsaws, blowers and other equipment. Crews will be deployed as needed.
Public Works crews have deployed and pre-positioned barricades in advance of known low water crossings and other areas that are known to flood.
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Message boards are also prepared to notify residents of potential flooding.
Bexar County urges all citizens to prepare in case of emergency. That includes securing pets and loose property.
"Although we may not take a direct hit from the hurricanes such as places on the coast such as Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Bexar County usually get inundated with a lot of rain, and the rain seems to kind of dump on us all at the same time," said Monica Ramos with Bexar County. "Since our area is known for flooding, we've gotta be prepared."
A list of road of road closures and high water locations can be found on Bexar County’s website at bexar.org.
Mayor Nirenberg Announces Launch of Emergency Operations
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced the city’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated to support the state’s preparations for Tropical Storm Harvey.
The city is planning to provide aid and relief to coastal residents who may be impacted by this weekend’s storms.
The state of Texas formally asked the city to assist in staging resources, including buses to transport potential evacuees and organizing relief plans.
Texas is moving resources from around the state and nation closer to coastal areas that may be in the path of the storm so that help will be quickly available if it is needed.
San Antonio’s Salvation Army prepared to provide hurricane relief if needed
The Salvation Army in San Antonio is prepared to provide relief to first responders and victims on the Texas coast as Harvey nears landfall.
The organization’s Emergency Family Shelter in San Antonio is also preparing in the event of increased traffic from possible evacuations.
Disaster teams and vehicles from the Salvation Army are on standby to help with any disaster relief.
Staff will offer cots to sleep on and make room in the lobby if there is overflow traffic from displaced families traveling to San Antonio.
The Salvation Army traditionally also serves and prepares meals, and distributes cleaning supplies to those impacted.
The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation.
Visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org for more information.
New Braunfels preparing for possibility of severe weather
The City of New Braunfels is staging its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in preparation for a potential heavy rainfall event associated with tropical storm Harvey.
The EOC, located in City Hall at 550 Landa Street, will be staffed by city personnel and officials.
City employees are already actively preparing by staging barricades, checking drainage areas for obstructions, testing the emergency alert siren system and coordinating with other local, regional and state entities.
The New Braunfels Fire Department swift water rescue team is on stand-by and additional city personnel have been notified of potential activation over the next several days.
The Regional Emergency Alert Network (REAN) system will notify residents who have registered their telephone numbers with the system.
For information about this free service and to register for alerts, visit nbtexas.org/1165/Emergency-Management.
In areas of immediate impact, first responders will go door-to-door with information for residents.
New Braunfels Utility also has crews prepared for possible flooding, downed power lines, trees and possible power outages.