September is National Preparedness Month, a time to encourage every resident to make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed. Being ready helps protect families, homes, and our community. 

Over the weekend, the City of San Marcos hosted a Community Preparedness Fair, giving residents hands-on resources and information to help them get ready for emergencies. The fair highlighted the importance of planning ahead and showed how small steps today can make a big difference during a disaster. 

Steps San Marcos residents can take: 

• Create an emergency plan. Know evacuation routes, pick meeting places, and choose a contact person who lives outside the area. 

• Build or refresh an emergency kit. Include essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, batteries, and copies of important documents. 

• Sign up for alerts. Download the Genasy’s Protect app by visiting genasys.com. 

• Prepare your home. Clear brush, trim trees, secure loose outdoor items before storms, and maintain defensible space in fire-prone zones. 

• Community support matters. Check on elderly neighbors, those with mobility challenges, and anyone who may need extra help during emergencies. 

San Marcos is located in a region where weather and natural conditions can change quickly. Wildfire seasons are becoming more intense, and heat waves are more frequent. Local storms can lead to flooding. When residents prepare early, it reduces risk, speeds recovery, and keeps everyone safer. Learn more about disaster preparedness by visiting, https://www.san-marcos.net/departments/public-safety/fire-department/public-education/emergency-preparedness.