Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe storms forecasted to affect Northwest and Southeast Texas through the middle of the week.

"Texas continues to closely monitor conditions as severe weather moves across our state,” said Governor Abbott. "We stand ready to deploy all necessary resources to protect communities from anticipated flash flooding and heavy rains. Texans are urged to heed the guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

The National Weather Service reports that a storm system moving through Texas may produce severe thunderstorms capable of causing flash flooding starting tonight. The initial threat is focused on Northwest Texas, including the Panhandle, and is expected to move toward North Texas mid-week. In addition, heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding is being monitored for Southeast Texas this evening.

State agencies have mobilized several resources at the Governor’s direction. These include swiftwater rescue boat squads from the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1), road condition monitoring by the Texas Department of Transportation, game wardens and helicopter teams from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and helicopters with hoist capabilities from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Texas Highway Patrol Troopers and Tactical Marine Unit are also involved.

Additional support includes disaster assessment agents from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for agricultural needs, medical task force packages with medics and ambulances from the Texas Department of State Health Services, power outage monitoring by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, oversight of natural gas supply by the Railroad Commission of Texas, and environmental monitoring by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

These measures follow ongoing recovery efforts after recent statewide flooding incidents.

Residents are advised to stay updated on weather developments, follow instructions from authorities, create an emergency plan, and prepare supply kits. Severe weather safety information can be found at https://www.texasready.gov/, road conditions at https://drivetexas.org/, flood updates at https://texasflood.org/, and preparedness tips at https://tdem.texas.gov/prepare.