City’s new Flood Emergency Safety Program prepares residents for potential flooding emergencies
- March 16-20 observed as National Flood Safety Awareness Week -

Today, the City’s Office of Emergency Management and Public Works Department joined District 8 Councilwoman Diane G. Cibrian and the City Council Public Safety Committee: District 7 Councilman Justin Rodriguez (chair), District 4 Councilman Philip Cortez, District 6 Councilwoman Delicia Herrera and District 10 Councilman John Clamp to announce a new comprehensive Emergency Management Program to mitigate risk to life and property posed by significant storm events.

“Because the potential for flash floods and flooding continues to be present in the San Antonio area, it is imperative that residents be aware of the effects of major floods and how to be prepared if one should occur,” said District Fire Chief Nim Kidd, City Emergency Manager.

The announcement of this comprehensive Emergency Management initiative is part of the City’s recognition of National Flood Awareness Week and includes a new San Antonio Flood Emergency (SAFE) System, Wireless Notification System (WNS), Advanced Flood Warning System, Low Water Crossing (LWC) Remediation Plan and the Water Rescue Prop.

“These systems are being put into place to reduce the number of water rescues that endanger the lives of residents and firefighters,” said Fire Chief Charles Hood.

The new flood emergency awareness initiative is a result of multiple City departments’ efforts to coordinate emergency management efforts and include Fire,
Office of Emergency Management, Public Works, Information Technology Services, Capital Improvements Management Services, Purchasing and Communications and Public Affairs.

"This is the first coordinated effort to address our City’s most serious weather hazard, flooding,” said Councilwoman Cibrian. “This effort will move forward five key flood safety initiatives that will dramatically increase public safety in San Antonio. SAFE will help alleviate the dangers associated with flooding through the remediation of unsafe low water crossings and increased flood awareness in order to protect our residents.”
Councilwoman Cibrian championed the efforts to implement the SAFE System as a way to provide early notification during heavy rains and heighten public awareness on flooding.

SAFE’s mission is to educate citizens, through proactive public outreach, on the appropriate actions to take prior to, during and after flooding emergencies. The SAFE System highlights hazards associated with floods and provides vital information on what residents can do to save life and property.

Education will be the major focus of the SAFE System and key components will include:

• Coordinated flood preparedness website: www.safloodsafe.com. The user-friendly website will provide valuable
• information such as weather forecasts; interactive maps including low water crossing and flood zones; and additional tools to create a more comprehensive understanding of flood safety.
• SAFE Hotline: (210) 207-SAFE (7233). A hotline has been created to inform the community of weather-related hazards and local flood information.
• 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.
• Outdoor Advertising: Billboards displaying the message: Be Prepared. Be Informed. Be Safe. Will be strategically placed in neighborhoods.
• Children’s Education Component and “Aqua” the SAFE System Frog mascot: Presentations and appearances will be available for parents and educators. In addition, posters contests will be held throughout the school year to get youth involved in the program.

The safety of our residents is the highest priority for the City,” said Councilman Rodriguez. “We continue to explore new innovative public safety methods to implement in our community.”

The SAFE System will also include a new Wireless Notification System. Through this system, City officials will be able to send emergency notification messages via wireless devices such as cellular phones, email and SMS text messages. Citizens will have the opportunity to register by telephone or via the internet on the SAFE website to select the services they wish to receive for emergency information.

Another integral part of the SAFE System is the installation of SAFE Route Signs. SAFE Route signs will be placed at low water crossing locations identified in the City’s Low Water Crossing Remediation Plan, to help citizens easily navigate through alternate routes away from flooded areas. In this plan, 31 low water crossings have been identified; six will be completed in 2009. The first SAFE Route has been installed at the Lockhill and White Bonnet low water crossing located in District 8. In addition, routes will be available on the SAFE website for downloading and printing to help driver’s plan the safest route.

“Each SAFE Route and alternate route has been created to increase safety for motorists who need to reach their planned destination safely,” said Majed A. Al-Ghafry, Public Works director.

Another component of the Emergency Management initiative unveiled today is the Advanced Flood Warning System that is still in development and scheduled for completion in spring of 2010. The system’s coverage area will be expanded from the current 19 low water crossings to 63 crossings, and is being coordinated with the County.

Additionally, beginning in FY 2010, funding for a Water Rescue Prop designed to assist in preparing firefighters in water rescue training for flooding situations will be constructed at the San Antonio Fire Training Academy.

More deaths occur due to flooding each year than from any other weather-related hazard. One of the reasons San Antonio is susceptible to severe flooding is because it sits in a part of Texas known as Flash Flood Alley, the most flash-flood prone area in the entire country. This area is particularly vulnerable because storms stall out along the Balcones escarpment and produce large amounts of rainfall. Since the early 1800s, San Antonio has experienced several devastating floods. Most recently, a major flood in 1998 resulted in 20 inches of rain in some areas of the region in as little as two days and in 2002, 35 inches of rain fell in the San Antonio area resulting in 12 deaths.