Dear valued partners:

Like you, Visit San Antonio has been proactively monitoring developments surrounding the potential impact of Hurricane Harvey. All forecasts project a significant wind and rainfall event for San Antonio and the surrounding area, most notably affecting our friends along the Gulf Coast to our south.

Whether directly or indirectly, we will be impacted by the path of this storm. Undoubtedly, it will be an opportunity for San Antonio and all of you to showcase our famed hospitality and warmth in embracing those facing a challenging situation. We are expecting a large influx of evacuees from sites in the bulls-eye of the storm.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff held a joint news conference Thursday, at which they detailed some of the significant details surrounding Hurricane Harvey. Among the notable points:

  • A local disaster declaration has been declared. The Office of Emergency Management has been activated and is engaged for any needs that might arise. This includes supporting the State of Texas’ efforts in dealing with the impact of the storm, assisting in staging resources throughout the area and having emergency crews on standby.
  • The Mayor urged residents and visitors to keep close watch on deteriorating weather conditions and stay off the roads if at all possible.
  • For those coming into our city and inquiring about seeking shelter, those visitors are urged to head to 200 Gembler Rd., which is just east of AT&T Center Parkway.
  • It’s a good idea to also monitor all updates at the websites of the City of San Antonio (www.sanantonio.gov) and Bexar County (www.bexar.org.)

At Visit San Antonio, we are encouraging any callers seeking information about hotel accommodations to log onto https://texaslodging.com/uploads/files/general/Hotel_Brands_Toll_Free_Numbers.pdf, which has been provided by the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, or https://www.visitsanantonio.com/places-to-stay/, our more local-centric booking site. For real-time updates on conditions, including road closures, flooded areas, evacuation routes and other valuable information, download the Ready South Texas app. Most importantly, continue to monitor the situation online or on air and be aware of any situations such as heavy flooding, which is historically the most dangerous weather situation in San Antonio.

We’ll continue to monitor those conditions as they evolve, and send any updates necessary. Before the heavier weather arrives, please check your checklist for emergency preparedness and compile what you’ll need during inclement conditions. The Bexar County website, www.bexar.org, includes a comprehensive preparedness kit.

We’re also working aggressively with our convention clients to keep them informed.

Other websites and social-media sites available that will include important information:

www.sanantonio.gov/SAT/Airlines-Flights/Arrivals-Departures
www.Facebook.com/CitySanAntonioTX
www.Twitter.com/COSAGov
www.Facebook.com/CountyofBexar
www.Twitter.com/BexarCounty

Also, remember that residents can sign up to receive text messages from the City of San Antonio by texting COSAGOV to 55000.

Please stay informed, and stay safe!

Sincerely,

Casandra Matej, CDME, CTA
President & CEO
Visit San Antonio