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Governor Greg Abbott addressed the public today regarding Texas' response to various weather threats affecting the state. Following a briefing with state officials at the State Operations Center in Austin, he discussed wildfire threats in West Texas, potential flash flooding in East Texas, and severe winter weather impacting large areas.
“Today is an example of how weather can change in Texas,” Governor Abbott stated. He noted that fire concerns are present in West Texas, while heavy rain and potential flash flooding are expected in East Texas. Additionally, he warned of a significant cold front bringing near-zero temperatures across the state. “People need to be very cautious over the coming days as temperatures plummet, so make sure that you take care of yourself,” he advised.
Governor Abbott was accompanied by several key officials during the press conference, including Chief Nim Kidd from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), Marc Williams from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Pablo Vegas from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and Thomas Gleeson from the Public Utility Commission (PUC).
The Governor instructed multiple state agencies such as TDEM, TxDOT, ERCOT, PUC, and others to prepare for these weather challenges. He emphasized caution against exposure to extreme cold and reassured residents about the power grid's capability to withstand severe winter conditions.
In anticipation of worsening weather this weekend, Governor Abbott had previously directed TDEM to activate emergency resources. The state has mobilized over 2,000 responders and more than 1,500 vehicles and equipment assets. Over a dozen agencies are actively responding to these threats.
Residents are encouraged to visit the TDEM Disaster Portal for updates on winter weather conditions. Additional resources include safety tips at TexasReady.gov, information on warming centers at tdem.texas.gov/warm, and road condition updates at DriveTexas.org.