Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to raise the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) to Level III, which signals increased readiness as severe storms are expected across Texas this week.

"In preparation for forecasted severe storms, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the readiness level of the State Operations Center,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas stands ready to respond and swiftly deploy all necessary resources to support local officials with response operations and ensure the safety of Texans. Texans are urged to remain weather-aware and heed the guidance of state and local officials and emergency response personnel to protect themselves and their loved ones."

The National Weather Service reports that a storm system starting today could bring heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding in large areas of West, North, Central, Southwest, and East Texas. The storms may also cause damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes. More storms are forecast for early next week in significant regions of Texas. Residents are advised to monitor local forecasts closely.

At Governor Abbott's direction, TDEM has asked representatives from several agencies—including the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force), Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas National Guard—to report to the SOC for 24-hour operations.

Additional emergency resources have been activated ahead of potential flooding. These include swiftwater rescue teams from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Task Force 1), high profile vehicles and Blackhawk helicopters from the Texas National Guard for flood response, incident management teams from TDEM, strike teams from the Texas A&M Forest Service for all-hazard support, severe weather support packages from the Department of State Health Services' medical task force, game wardens with rescue boats from Parks and Wildlife, DPS helicopters with hoist capability along with Highway Patrol Troopers and marine units, road monitoring by TxDOT personnel, disaster assessment agents from AgriLife Extension Service for agricultural needs, power outage monitoring by the Public Utility Commission of Texas coordinating with utility providers (https://www.puc.texas.gov/), natural gas supply oversight by the Railroad Commission communicating with oil and gas companies (https://www.rrc.texas.gov/), and air/water/wastewater monitoring by the Commission on Environmental Quality (https://www.tceq.texas.gov/).

Yesterday’s directive also included activating these resources in anticipation of storm impacts.

Texans are being asked to complete preparations such as making an emergency plan and assembling a disaster kit while following instructions from local officials. Road conditions can be checked at DriveTexas.org, severe weather tips found at TexasReady.gov, flood safety information at TexasFlood.org, and general preparedness resources at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.