Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe weather expected to affect parts of Texas starting today and continuing through the weekend.
“Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary resources to help local officials respond to potential severe weather across the state,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans are urged to remain weather-aware, regularly check road conditions, and heed the guidance of state and local officials to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones. The State of Texas will continue to closely monitor weather conditions to protect the well-being of communities across our state.”
The National Weather Service reports that several storm systems may bring strong or severe thunderstorms across much of Texas, beginning in North Texas later today. As the week progresses, risks will move westward toward areas such as the Panhandle, South Plains, Permian Basin, Big Country, and Concho Valley. Later in the week, these threats could return to North, Northeast, and Central Texas. Conditions are likely to persist into early next week with hazards including large hail, damaging winds, heavy rainfall causing flash flooding, and possible tornadoes. Residents are advised to stay informed through local forecasts.
In response to these risks, Governor Abbott has made available a range of emergency response resources from various agencies:
– Swiftwater rescue boat squads and urban search & rescue teams from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
– Incident management teams from TDEM.
– Personnel and high-profile vehicles from the Texas National Guard; Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters for flood rescues.
– Road condition monitoring by the Texas Department of Transportation.
– Saw crews for clearing roadways and strike teams from Texas A&M Forest Service.
– Game wardens and rescue boats from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
– Highway Patrol Troopers and tactical units from the Department of Public Safety.
– Severe weather support packages including medics and ambulances from Department of State Health Services.
– Disaster assessment agents for agricultural needs via AgriLife Extension Service.
– Power outage monitoring by Public Utility Commission.
– Natural gas supply monitoring by Railroad Commission.
– Air/water/wastewater monitoring by Commission on Environmental Quality.
The State Emergency Operations Center is currently at Level III (Increased Readiness), supporting both severe weather response efforts as well as ongoing wildfire operations due to continued fire risk in some regions.
Residents are encouraged to prepare emergency supply kits, develop emergency plans, and follow instructions from local authorities. Information on flood safety can be found at TexasReady.gov; road updates are available at DriveTexas.org; additional preparedness tips are at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
According to information on the official website, Governor Abbott’s office is based in Austin at the State Insurance Building. Since his election in 2014, Abbott has led statewide services with a focus on job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, individual liberties protection, parental empowerment in schooling decisions, and border security. Under his leadership—recognized nationally when he was listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024—Texas has seen record employment growth. The Office continues its authority over public safety matters throughout all regions of Texas.
