Here’s a list of agencies, utilities, and resources San Antonio area residents may call for help during Thursday’s storms.
Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio is extending 311 call center hours Thursday and opening the service early Friday as the city prepares for heavy rain and possible flash flooding.
A Flood Watch remains in effect through 7 p.m. Friday. The city said San Antonio and Bexar County are under a Level 3 of 4 risk for excessive rainfall, meaning numerous flash floods are possible, streams may overflow and some rivers could rise out of their banks.
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Storms could arrive as early as 5 a.m. Thursday, with the heaviest rainfall expected between 7 a.m. and noon. Isolated areas could receive 6 to 8 inches of rain, according to city officials.
READ MORE: South Texas storm timing has shifted. Here’s when to now expect heavy rainfall.
Another round of storms could redevelop Thursday night into Friday morning, which the city identified as the greatest period of concern. Rainfall rates could reach 2 to 4 inches per hour, creating the potential for rapid flash flooding.
Where to get help
If you need assistance during the storm, here’s who to contact for emergencies, downed trees, power outages and emergency shelter:
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Life-threatening emergencies, water rescues or anyone trapped by rising water: Call 911. Move to the highest safe point you can reach.
Nonemergency storm problems, such as downed trees or malfunctioning traffic signals: Call 311 or 210-207-6000. The call center will be open until 11 p.m. Thursday and reopen at 6 a.m. Friday.
Road closures and low-water crossings: Check BexarFlood.org.
Power outages: Call CPS Energy at 210-353-4357 or check its outage map.
Water or sewer issues: Call SAWS at 210-704-7297.
Community resources: Call United Way at 211 or 210-227-4357.
Resources for unsheltered neighbors: Call the city’s Community Connections Hotline at 210-207-1799. The city’s flood information page lists weekday hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The city said libraries, senior centers and community centers will operate on their regular schedules Thursday. Officials will decide Thursday whether to open overnight shelter at the city’s resilience hubs.
The San Antonio Food Bank’s Neighbor Services team can help residents find food before, during and after the storm. Assistance is available at 210-431-8326 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The food bank is also seeking donations and volunteers through its disaster relief page at safoodbank.org/disasterrelief.
City departments have increased staffing and are coordinating storm preparations with regional partners.
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Public Works is preparing for 24-hour operations, monitoring low-water crossings, dams, roadways, debris and traffic signals while staging barricades for potential road closures. SAPD officers are preparing to assist with traffic control and road closures, while the San Antonio Fire Department is preparing for water rescues and other weather-related emergencies.
Since Monday, the city and its community partners have been reaching out to unsheltered residents, particularly those staying near drainage channels and other flood-prone areas. Outreach teams have encouraged people to seek shelter or move to higher ground and have placed warning signs in high-risk locations.
The preparations come about a month after an Aug. 28 storm brought winds approaching 80 mph, downed trees and power lines, and caused widespread power outages. Officials also investigated two possible storm-related deaths, including a woman who was swept away by floodwaters.
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Following that storm, the city opened six overnight resilience hubs that provided basic supplies, charging stations, Wi-Fi, pet accommodations and free VIA transportation for residents affected by power outages.
Ahead of Thursday’s storms, officials urged residents to clear leaves and debris from gutters and storm drains, secure outdoor items, bring pets indoors, charge electronic devices, enable emergency alerts and never drive or walk through floodwaters or around barricades.