Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe weather expected across Texas this week. The move comes as forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate that multiple rounds of severe storms may affect the northern half of the state starting today and continuing through the end of the week. Potential threats include large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding. The risk area is projected to expand further south as the week progresses.
Governor Abbott also ordered TDEM to mobilize additional wildfire response resources due to increased wildfire risks in West Texas. This action builds on previous deployments made last month in response to ongoing wildfire dangers. The Texas A&M Forest Service is closely monitoring these conditions and has identified heightened wildfire threats particularly in western regions of the state.
“The State of Texas is ready to swiftly respond to severe weather expected across the state this week,” said Governor Abbott. “State and local emergency response personnel are on standby to support Texas communities through the potential heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and tornadoes across Texas and wildfire threats in West Texas. Texans are urged to monitor weather, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”
In preparation for these events, several agencies have been tasked with specific roles:
– The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1) will deploy swiftwater rescue boat squads for flood rescues.
– The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will provide game wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters equipped with hoists.
– The Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force) will supply medics, ambulances, all-terrain vehicles, and other support packages.
– The Texas A&M Forest Service will coordinate firefighting resources including personnel, fire engines, bulldozers, federally contracted aircraft such as large air tankers for retardant drops, single-engine air tankers, and surveillance platforms.
– The Texas National Guard will provide Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters capable of firefighting operations.
– Personnel from the Texas Department of Transportation will monitor road conditions throughout affected areas.
– The Texas Department of Public Safety will deploy helicopters with hoist capabilities along with highway patrol troopers and a tactical marine unit.
– Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will support agricultural needs alongside county extension agents.
– Power outage monitoring will be handled by the Public Utility Commission of Texas in coordination with utility providers.
– The Railroad Commission of Texas is responsible for overseeing natural gas supplies and maintaining communication with oil and gas operators.
– Air/water/wastewater monitoring falls under the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Residents are encouraged to follow instructions from local officials when preparing for severe weather or wildfires. They should create emergency plans and assemble kits containing essential supplies.
For safety information related to severe weather preparedness Texans can visit https://www.texasready.gov/, check current road conditions at https://drivetexas.org/, access flood safety details at https://texasflood.org/, or find up-to-date wildfire information at https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/. Additional preparedness resources are available at https://tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
