Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the state’s disaster declaration to include 85 more counties as Texas continues to experience severe winter weather. The update brings the total number of counties under the disaster declaration to 219.
“Communities across the state have been impacted by this weekend’s winter weather,” said Governor Abbott. “I am updating my disaster declaration to include additional counties to help more Texans during these freezing temperatures. Texans should continue to monitor local weather forecasts and road conditions to keep themselves and their families safe. I thank Texas emergency management officials as they work around the clock to help Texans across the state recover from this winter storm.”
The State of Texas has deployed over 10,900 responders, with more than 4,900 vehicles and pieces of equipment, and over 15 state agencies are currently involved in response efforts statewide. The Texas State Emergency Operations Center is operating around the clock to assist local officials with requests for support.
Key agencies remain active in addressing impacts from the storm:
– The Texas Department of Transportation is treating roadways and managing traffic control.
– The Texas Division of Emergency Management is coordinating incident management teams and updating warming center maps.
– The Texas National Guard has deployed helicopters, high-profile vehicles, and personnel for rescue operations and supply delivery.
– Additional agencies are monitoring power outages, natural gas supplies, environmental quality, public safety on roads, public works needs, agricultural impacts, medical emergencies, technology infrastructure, law enforcement coordination, school district needs, and available social services.
Governor Abbott also urged residents to avoid travel in hazardous conditions and use one of more than 375 warming centers set up by local officials throughout Texas.
Residents can access winter weather information at the TDEM Disaster Portal (disaster.texas.gov), find safety tips at TexasReady.gov, locate warming centers via tdem.texas.gov/warm, check road conditions at DriveTexas.org, or report power outages through puc.texas.gov/storm.
Governor Abbott’s ongoing actions include issuing a disaster declaration for affected areas and activating emergency resources ahead of anticipated winter storms.
