BE PREPARED

To help Texans prepare for weather events like hurricanes and violent spring storms, the state is offering a sales tax holiday on essential items like generators, flashlights and first aid kits.

Just in time for spring storm season, Texans can buy batteries, phone chargers, some ice chests and more tax free during the state’s emergency preparation supplies sales tax holiday.

The U.S. government has updated its guidelines on what people should do in the event of a nuclear explosion.

San Antonio city staff is putting together a plan that would better prepare the community for any future catastrophic disaster like the one San Antonio experienced in February 2021.

With any major storm, winds and heavy rainfall have the power to create massive power outages.

To help Texans prepare for possible violent spring storms and the upcoming hurricane season, Texas will have a tax holiday for emergency supplies this month.

When it comes to severe weather, safety and preparation are always top of mind.

SAN ANTONIO – News (and rumors) about the novel coronavirus outbreak have many people scrambling to stock up on food and supplies. Castillo recommends that people have supplies at home as well as in a go-bag in case you must evacuate. “We’re heading into spring storm season and San Antonio and surrounding areas are prone to flooding. “Be mindful that there are other people out there, and supplies need to last,” Castillo said. “We’re a community going through this together.”Here are some resources that can help you prepare for any emergency:Coronavirus prevention and resources:

If you've made the preparations you need to make before hurricane season -- including assembling a disaster supply kit, getting an insurance checkup and strengthening your home -- how about helping your neighbor get prepared? That's the recommendation from the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during Hurricane Preparedness Week. If a storm is imminent, check on your neighbor to see if they need any supplies or assistance evacuating. Then, check up on them again after the storm. If you're looking for other ways to get involved before and during a disaster, there are some ideas on the Ready.gov website.

If you're in the path of a hurricane and you live in a storm surge evacuation zone, you may face a mandatory evacuation. If you live outside that zone, you may choose to ride out the storm at home. Either way, you want your home to be as secure as possible to prevent as much damage as you can. Even if you live far from the coast, there are things you can do to make your home safer in any storm. Secure all windows and doors on your property.

Hurricane Preparedness Week is a good time to assess your family's needs and make adjustments if necessary, whether that means adding to your disaster supply kit or making sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or replace your home. Furthermore, did you know that standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding? You can ask your current insurance company about it, or get more information HERE on FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program website. New flood insurance policies require a 30-day waiting period. Flood insurance isn't just for homeowners.

"The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins." That's the advice from the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during Hurricane Preparedness Week. Officials are urging people to get prepared now by:When those preparations are in place, there is one more thing you should do: Write your plan down. When you are under stress, you may not remember all of the important details, but if you have your plan written down, you can follow it. Authorities recommend that you talk about your plan with your family and even role play.

Whether it's a hurricane, other natural disaster or a terrorist attack, people are encouraged to have a basic emergency supply kit on hand. (The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends starting with a three-day supply while the National Weather Service recommends having at least a week's worth of supplies.) Make sure all of your family members know where the kit is kept so they can access it in case of an emergency. It's recommended that you examine the kit every year and update it as your family's needs change. Emergency officials also recommend that you have some emergency supplies in your car and at work.

SAN ANTONIO – Download KSAT12's new "Hurricane Tracker" app today! A direct hit from a hurricane on the Texas coast could have a catastrophic effect on San Antonio and South Texas. Make sure you’re prepared with breaking hurricane updates and state-of-the-art tracking with the KSAT12 Weather Team. With the KSAT12 HURRICANE APP, you can:See KSAT12’s Live RadarMonitor the projected hurricane pathReceiving late-breaking storm information from Adam Caskey, Justin Horne, Mike Osterhage, Kaiti Blake and Sarah SpiveyReceive the latest Watches and Warnings once a hurricane is being trackedLearn how to plan and prepare if a storm does come our waySee the latest emergency informationKSAT12 is Your Weather Authority, tracking hurricanes with Live Radar, projected hurricane paths, and watches and warnings to keep you safe. Our Hurricane App is FREE and available now -- just search your app store for the keyword “KSAT."

San Antonio is not considered to be in a storm surge evacuation zone. Are you in an evacuation zone? Use your family communication plan to decide these locations before a disaster. If you have a car, keep a full tank of gas in it if an evacuation seems likely. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to.

Their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur without it being a major hurricane. The primary hazards from tropical cyclones (which include tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes) are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents. Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm's winds. Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries. Learn the dangers of a hurricane storm surge with this fast draw video.