DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ben Gorzell Jr.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing and Final Report from the Committee on Emergency Preparedness
SUMMARY:
A briefing on the Final Report from the Committee on Emergency Preparedness.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
From February 14, 2021 to February 19, 2021, the continental United States experienced a severe winter storm resulting from the southern migration of a polar vortex that meteorologists characterize as the most significant in terms of scope and duration since the monitoring of these weather phenomenon began in the 1950s. With this storm referred to as Winter Storm Uri, San Antonio experienced three consecutive days of record low temperatures and record low daily high temperatures and wind chills.
This week of severe winter weather had significant impacts on the San Antonio community and our residents. These unprecedented winter event had cascading impacts during its duration including electricity outages, water outages, and transportation to include air, public, and vehicular.
The impacts of this event caused frustration, questions, calls for accountability from our residents along with concerns about the City's resilience and preparedness. On February 22nd, the Mayor created the Select Committee on 2021 Winter Storm Preparedness and Response now known as the "Committee on Emergency Preparedness". The Mayor tasked the Committee with studying the event to determine what happened and to provide recommendations on what needs to be done to better prepare for future winter weather emergency events. In this regard, the study is focused on CPS Energy, the San Antonio Water System, and the City's Emergency Operations Center.
The following individuals served on the Committee:
* Chair, Reed Williams, former City Councilmember District 8
* Vice Chair, General Edward A. Rice Jr., USAF (RET)
* Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, City Council District 4
* Ana ...
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