Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional emergency response resources due to impending severe weather and flash flooding across much of Texas. The adverse conditions are expected to extend from today through the weekend with the potential for snow in the Panhandle region.

Governor Abbott stated, "As severe weather threatens communities throughout Texas, the State of Texas stands ready to assist local officials to keep Texans safe. Today, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate additional state resources to support local officials and first responders during this severe weather event. Texans should remain vigilant, heed warnings from local authorities, and have an emergency plan for severe storms, flash flooding, tornadoes, and winter weather. Texas will continue to monitor these evolving threats to ensure communities have the resources and support they need to respond to this severe weather event."

The National Weather Service has forecasted heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding through Saturday night. Severe storms are likely, posing risks such as large hail, damaging winds, and potential tornadoes. Additionally, snowfall in the Panhandle could cause disruptions. Wildfire threats exist in parts of Southwest Texas, and residents are urged to stay informed via local forecasts.

Under the governor's directive, over 700 state emergency responders and more than 300 pieces of equipment have been deployed to tackle severe weather, winter weather, and wildfire operations throughout Texas.

State emergency response resources prepared to assist local operations include:

- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service: Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads and Flood Water Boat Squads

- TDEM: The State of Texas Incident Management Team, Incident Support Task Force, Disaster Recovery Task Force, and regional personnel

- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability

- Texas Department of Public Safety: Helicopters with hoist capabilities, Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, and the Tactical Marine Unit

- Texas National Guard: Personnel and high-profile vehicles for motorist assistance

- Texas A&M Forest Service: Firefighters and equipment, including federally contracted aircraft

- Texas Department of State Health Services: Severe Weather and Wildland Fire Support Packages

- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery personnel

- Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Department of Agriculture: Resource coordination

- Texas Department of Transportation: Road monitoring and pretreatment

- Public Utility Commission of Texas: Outage monitoring and utility coordination

- Railroad Commission of Texas: Natural gas supply monitoring

- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Environmental monitoring

- Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Information services via 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network

- Texas Department of Information Resources: Technology infrastructure monitoring

The Texas State Emergency Operations Center is operational at Level II (Escalated Response) to aid local officials in handling the severe weather, winter conditions, and wildfire threats.

State authorities urge Texans to follow guidelines from local officials, develop emergency plans, and prepare supply kits. Road conditions can be checked at DriveTexas.org, while safety and preparedness resources are available at TexasReady.gov, TexasFlood.org, and tdem.texas.gov/prepare.