The City of San Antonio and Bexar County residents have experienced catastrophic flash flooding many times over the last several years.  As such, continued evaluation of existing emergency warning protocols and early flood warning systems is crucial in order to improve public safety and education.

The potential for serious flooding continues to be present in San Antonio. That is why we have developed a flood public education and flood preparedness program called SAFE, San Antonio Flood Emergency System.

The mission of SAFE is to provide early flood notification during heavy rain events and educate the public on actions necessary to protect life and property.

The objectives are to:

Educate the public on flood awareness, preparedness and safety.

• Available for public speaking and education events, community wide safety fairs and neighborhood associations meetings.   
  
• We will provide residents with training and education about the dangers of local flooding, low water crossings, and preparing safety and preparedness kits.

Develop a multi-media approach to public education and training.

• SAFE was developed in conjunction with several flood safety and flood response experts.  Our public education presentations will be geared towards both children and adults, and will accommodate any size of group or meeting.
• Brochures and Pamphlets: Includes educational information regarding emergency alert systems, the significance of flood safety preparedness plans for families and businesses, as well as emergency numbers.

Work with the first responder community, the National Weather Service, school districts, business community, media, neighborhood and apartment organizations.

• Flooding affects the entire community.  SAFE was developed with the help of first responders, weather experts and community leaders. 

Enhance existing emergency notification systems under a unified front. Ensure local government has sufficient lead-time to prepare appropriate resources before flooding occurs.

• Communicating with the public is critical during heavy rain and flood events.  Through new technology, the City will be able to notify residents of impending danger at a moments notice.  Citizens will also be able to register to receive several types of notifications including impending flood events.
• There are many types of emergency notifications systems used by emergency officials from phone calls to first responders going door to door.  The SAFE program will utilize all existing emergency notification systems in order to communicate with citizens during flood situations.

Establish S.A.F.E. Hotline

• Citizens can call 207-SAFE for the latest information about the SAFE program and to leave a message with the SAFE Coordinator and/or schedule talks and mascot appearances.  

Provide local government the tools and systems to warn the public once flood potential is recognized.

• The City of San Antonio is currently in the process of deploying flood and river gauges in order to notify City Leadership and Emergency Response Officials of impending flood danger so that early steps can be taken to activate flood response protocols, resulting in a better informed and more prepared community. 

Other methods of notification such as:

Click on link below

1.     TVSA-21
2.     NOAA Weather Radio
3.     EAS