Survival Gear Sales Rise in San Antonio

A Northwest Side surplus store reports more customers buying emergency supplies as preparedness plans gain attention nationwide.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Safety

Photograph of a wooden shelf holding unlabeled metal canisters and foil pouches, with a water filter in the foreground under warm afternoon light. — Survival supply sales are climbing at National Outdoors and Army Surplus on San Antonio's Northwest Side as customers stock up on MREs and water filtration tablets. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Have you added emergency supplies like water or canned food to your home recently?

National Outdoors and Army Surplus, a Northwest Side San Antonio business managed by Olivia O'Banion, has seen a definite uptick in sales of survival-related supplies. The rise comes as governments in several countries have introduced new disaster preparedness plans.

Why it matters

Interest is being driven by recent discussions about disaster preparedness, with potential scenarios including natural disasters, civil unrest and war. For San Antonio residents, the trend reflects growing personal attention to household readiness.

The store's account is anecdotal, with no sales totals or prior-period comparison available. Officials have not released data tying the trend to any specific threat.

The players

National Outdoors and Army Surplus

A Northwest Side San Antonio surplus retailer that reports rising demand for survival-related goods.

Olivia O'Banion

The manager of National Outdoors and Army Surplus who has observed the sales increase firsthand.

Bexar County Emergency Management

The county agency that maintains ongoing preparedness advisories for San Antonio-area residents.

The details

Customers at the store are asking for canned goods and other emergency supplies, with concern centered on power grid outages and access to drinking water. The most requested items are MREs and water filtration tablets.

September: The U.S. Pentagon unveiled its FORTRESS plan for military bases.
Earlier this week: Japan launched its National Disaster Management Agency.
November 5, 2026: Article published on the store's survival gear uptick.

Seasonal Patterns

The Pentagon's FORTRESS plan requires military bases to sustain themselves for at least 90 days, a benchmark that sits well beyond the 72-hour household supply guidance common in national preparedness plans. Civilian buying patterns are now tracking that broader push toward extended self-sufficiency.

Residents are advised to keep at least 72 hours of water, food and medications on hand, following common national preparedness guidance. Water filtration tablets and shelf-stable food are among the supplies customers are prioritizing.

The takeaway

Building a basic supply kit now, rather than during an emergency, gives households a practical buffer against power outages and water disruptions. Start with three days of water, shelf-stable food, and a means to purify water.