Governor Greg Abbott on Friday announced that he directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to mobilize additional state emergency response resources ahead of rain and flooding expected to impact the state this weekend.
“The State of Texas is prepared to respond to the threat of heavy rainfall and flash floods across South and West Texas,” Abbott said. He said the resources are meant to support local officials and help protect Texans.
According to the National Weather Service, multiple rounds of thunderstorms in South and West Texas are anticipated to begin later tonight and last through the early part of next week. The weather service said heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Border, and Coastal Bend regions.
At the Governor’s direction, the following state emergency response resources are available to support local response operations: the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, including Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas A&M Task Force 3, with Swiftwater and Floodwater Rescue Boat Squads and high-profile vehicles; the Texas Division of Emergency Management with regional personnel to support deployed emergency response resources across the state; and the Texas Department of Transportation with personnel monitoring roadway and transportation conditions.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has Game Wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with water rescues. The Texas Department of Public Safety has Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, helicopters with hoist capability, and the Tactical Marine Unit. The Texas Department of State Health Services, through the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, has Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents and County Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs. The Public Utility Commission of Texas has power-outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers. The Railroad Commission of Texas has monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has air, water, and wastewater monitoring.
State officials urged Texans to remain weather aware, make an emergency plan, pack an emergency supply kit, and follow directions from local officials. Texans can find safety tips at TexasReady.gov, check road conditions at DriveTexas.org, find flood information at TexasFlood.org, and visit tdem.texas.gov/prepare for all-hazards preparedness information.