SAN ANTONIO – Tx — The threat of heavy rain on Thursday has some homeowners stressed out. It was just a month ago when storms left more than 100,000 people without electricity. For 82-year-old Ana Sanchez that was the least of her concerns because she was left without a roof.
The strong winds from her storm ripped apart her roof, leaving traces of it in her backyard.
“I’ve never had this kind of weather before,” Sanchez said. “I could have sworn it was a tornado. It was just swirling really weird.”
Days after the heavy rain the unstable roof caused the ceiling in her granddaughter’s room to collapse.
With the help of the community, Sanchez was able to repair her roof, but now she and her granddaughter are confined to one side of their home due to water damage. With 2 to 4 inches of rain expected Thursday, Sanchez is closely watching the weather and securing her home.
“It’s fragile in there,” Sanchez said. “If the weather comes now, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s not going to be good in there.”
The Public Works Department and Emergency Management are urging everyone to be prepared for the storm.
“Make sure that anything in the flood prone area is brought to higher ground,” Michael Morelan said. “Bring your pets inside because there is going to be severe rain and potential severe weather.”
The City of San Antonio gave the following tips to prepare for the storm.
Prepare Before the Storm
Residents should take these steps now:
Clear leaves and debris from gutters, storm drains and areas where water needs to flow.
Secure outdoor items, including Halloween inflatables, decorations and patio furniture.
Bring pets indoors and make sure they have a safe place during the storm.
Charge phones and devices and turn on emergency alerts. Learn more at SA.gov/Alerts.
Stay Away from Flooded Areas
Flash flooding is possible where heavier rainfall develops. Low-water crossings, roadways, parks, greenways and drainage channels may flood rapidly.
Residents should:
Move to higher ground immediately if you are near rising water. Do not wait.
Never drive or walk through flooded roads.
Never drive around barricades.
If you must travel, check road conditions before leaving, avoid flood-prone areas and allow additional time.
If a traffic signal is dark or flashing red, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
If you become trapped by rising water, call 911 and move to the highest safe point you can reach.
Sanchez also has a GoFundMe to help cover the cost to repair her home.