Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe weather expected to impact large parts of Texas starting tomorrow.
“Texas stands ready to deploy all emergency resources needed to help local communities across the state prepare and respond to severe weather,” Governor Abbott said. “The safety of all Texans is our No. 1 priority. State and local officials continue to monitor the increased storm weather expected to affect communities across West, North, Central, Southwest, and East Texas. Texans are urged to check local weather reports and road conditions and have an emergency plan for themselves and their families. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
The National Weather Service forecasts that a storm system will enter Texas tomorrow, bringing heavy rainfall with the potential for flash flooding. Additional risks include damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. The affected areas are expected to include significant portions of West, North, Central, Southwest, and East Texas. The threat is likely to continue through the end of the week.
To support local response efforts, several state agencies have been mobilized:
– The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1) will provide swiftwater rescue boat squads.
– The Texas National Guard will use Blackhawk helicopters equipped with hoists for flood response.
– The Texas Division of Emergency Management will coordinate with its Incident Management Team statewide.
– The Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force) will supply medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles.
– The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will deploy game wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters for flood rescues.
– The Texas Department of Public Safety will contribute helicopters with hoist capability as well as Highway Patrol Troopers and its Tactical Marine Unit.
– Personnel from the Texas Department of Transportation will monitor road conditions.
– Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will assist with agricultural needs.
– The Public Utility Commission of Texas will oversee power outage monitoring in coordination with utility providers.
– The Railroad Commission of Texas will monitor natural gas supplies while communicating with oil and gas companies.
– The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will conduct air, water, and wastewater monitoring.
Residents are advised to make an emergency plan for their households, assemble essential supplies in a kit, follow instructions from local authorities, check current road conditions at DriveTexas.org (https://drivetexas.org/), review storm safety information at TexasReady.gov (https://www.texasready.gov/), find flood safety tips at TexasFlood.org (https://texasflood.org/), and access general preparedness resources at tdem.texas.gov/prepare (https://tdem.texas.gov/prepare).
