SAN ANTONIO — As Beryl continues moving toward the Texas coast, San Antonio Metro Health is advising people locally to prepare for whatever may come.
Agencies across San Antonio are watching Beryl, waiting to determine the response that will be needed.
"San Antonio is an evacuation city for the southern Gulf Coast region," said George Perez, public health emergency preparedness operations manager for Metro Health. "With that being said, we have to make sure that we can take care of people here. However, what we do get after hurricanes is a lot of heavy rain. San Antonio is prone to flash flooding. So those are some things that we need to worry about."
The biggest recommendation Perez has? Store necessary documents in a waterproof bag, like a Ziploc. In your emergency document bag should be identification documents like driver's licenses or passports; insurance and financial paperwork; and property and vehicle documents.
Necessary medical documents like prescriptions should also be included, along with a list of phone numbers for family, friends, neighbors and your doctors.
"That way, it's sealed, ready to go on top of your refrigerator in your glove box, in your car, wherever it's at, so that you know that you've got that connection to take care of yourself there," Perez said.
He recommends keeping three to seven days' worth of goods stocked up. That includes water, canned goods, a can opener (if you need it) and powdered milk.
"You need about a gallon a day per person and canned goods," he said. "Canned goods go a long way. You can also look at portions on the back of cans, making sure that it's high in protein, such as legumes, beans and rice. Those kind of things stretch and go a long way."
If you have prescription medication, Perez emphasizes making sure it's stocked in the case of an emergency.
"We just want to make sure that everybody at least has a week's supply of medication," he said. "Make sure that you have your refills, make sure that you have your medication ready to go."
For those that have family on the coast who are a part of a vulnerable population and can't evacuate on their own, Perez points to the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR).
"It's key to telling us, as emergency responders, as first responders, who is vulnerable in that particular population, who aren't able to get themselves out, who we might have to get into some type of medical center, medical shelter—those individuals who aren't able to take care of themselves," Perez said.
As Beryl changes, Perez hopes people take this as a sign to be prepared and not to panic.
"Do not panic. Do not go out there and panic-buy anything," he said. "This is not a situation where you need to do that. And I don't think it's ever been a situation to do that, because we all need to take care of each other."
The San Antonio Office of Emergency Management told KENS 5 in a statement that it was "in contact with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and other state and federal stakeholders, and will be ready to assist if asked."
For more recommendations and an emergency preparedness list, click HERE.