San Antonio Agencies Revamp Emergency Preparedness After 2021 Winter Storm

Meteorologists, utilities, and emergency teams have changed how they communicate risks and prepare the public for winter hazards.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Five years after the devastating 2021 winter storm that crippled Texas, San Antonio agencies have overhauled their emergency preparedness and communication strategies. Meteorologists now focus on impact-based messaging, while utilities like CPS Energy and SAWS have improved outreach, online resources, and alert systems to better inform residents during power and water outages.

Why it matters

The 2021 winter storm exposed critical gaps in how agencies communicated risks and how residents understood them. The lessons learned have reshaped how San Antonio prepares for and responds to winter weather emergencies, aiming to protect vulnerable residents when hazardous conditions strike again.

The details

Meteorologist Jason Runyen of the National Weather Service says the storm forced a complete reevaluation of communication strategies, moving toward impact-based messaging that focuses on what wintry conditions mean for everyday life. Local meteorologists like KSAT's Adam Caskey have adopted similar approaches, as community anxiety around winter weather rose sharply after 2021. For utilities like CPS Energy and SAWS, the storm left a lasting impact, prompting operational changes to improve preparedness and customer communication. SAWS now leans heavily on email and text alerts, and has built ready-to-use cold weather graphics to guide residents on necessary home preparations.

  • The 2021 winter storm that crippled Texas occurred five years ago.
  • San Antonio agencies have overhauled their emergency preparedness and communication strategies since the 2021 winter storm.

The players

Jason Runyen

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Adam Caskey

A meteorologist with KSAT Weather Authority.

CPS Energy

The electric and gas utility company serving San Antonio.

San Antonio Water System (SAWS)

The water utility serving San Antonio.

Anne Hayden

The Communications Director for SAWS.

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What they’re saying

“We learned a lot from it. So I think once we kind of took a breath, we were able to go back, have some after‑actions, reviews, and learn what went well and what didn't go well in our messaging.”

— Jason Runyen, Meteorologist, National Weather Service

“The messaging changed throughout. The biggest takeaway is since then, the message has gone from 'there's a chance of wintry weather' to it being a novel, to it being nerve‑racking for folks.”

— Adam Caskey, Meteorologist, KSAT Weather Authority

“People were trying to figure out, 'is it my house, or is it the system?' If your pipes freeze at your house, a lot of people think the water is out, but it isn't just the pipes at your house.”

— Anne Hayden, Communications Director, SAWS

What’s next

San Antonio agencies continue to refine their emergency preparedness and communication strategies, with a focus on proactive outreach and clear, actionable information for residents ahead of future winter weather events.

The takeaway

The 2021 winter storm permanently changed how San Antonio communicates during weather emergencies, with meteorologists, utilities, and emergency teams now prioritizing clarity, real-world impacts, and proactive outreach to protect vulnerable residents when hazardous conditions strike again.