September 11th, 2008
Mayor advises readiness as hurricane turns northeast

From the city of San Marcos

San Marcos continues to brace for Hurricane Ike, but the northeastward turn of the storm may spare San Marcos the direct effects of the hurricane.

“Our City staff continues to prepare for possible impacts from Hurricane Ike,” said Mayor Susan Narvaiz. “We want our citizens to be prepared for the possibility of bad weather and feel confident in our City’s ability to care for our community in an emergency.”

Narvaiz urged residents to be prepared for the storm by monitoring storm information, making provisions to protect pets, and preparing a 3-day disaster supply kit for their families.
Weather forecast models have moved the track of Hurricane Ike to make landfall as a Category 3 storm southwest of the Houston-Galveston area after midnight Saturday, according to Troy Kimmel, meteorologist. The track will send the storm toward Bryan-College Station, and likely put the Austin-San Marcos area out of the direct line of fire.

Very heavy traffic from the Houston –Galveston area is expected as people evacuate inland along I-10 to I-35 and west on Ranch Road 12. Rain and winds of 30-40 miles an hour are still projected for the San Marcos area.
Mayor Narvaiz issued an emergency declaration proclamation Wednesday to support the City’s response to possible flooding, high winds and power outages that might occur. The declaration will enable the City to implement its disaster plan and take emergency measures as necessary.
Emergency Operations Coordinator Ken Bell and City departments have been gearing up all week to prepare for the storm. Bell has been participating in statewide emergency management conference calls coordinating statewide preparations for the storm.
Emergency information to date:

• San Marcos is NOT a designated shelter site for coastal evacuees, who will be directed to San Antonio and Austin.
• For shelter information for coastal evacuees, outside Austin call 512-974-1110; TTY number for hearing impaired is 512-972-9848.
• City of San Marcos will implement traffic message boards on Highway 80 and Highway 123 to direct storm evacuees to shelters in Austin and San Antonio.
• City of San Marcos, Hays County and other agencies are working together to respond to local flooding, power failures and damage from high winds as necessary in the San Marcos area.

Local emergency information is available in the following locations:

• Recorded information, 393-8488
• City web site: www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us
• Cable television: Time Warner Channel 10; Grande Channel 16.
• KLBJ Radio, AM 590
• If necessary, KTSW FM 89.9 will be used to broadcast emergency messages.
• Local and area media.