Texas rolls out preparations ahead of statewide weather threats
AUSTIN (KXAN) — With several weather threats possible over the next few days, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sunday that he had directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase its readiness levels at the Texas State Operations Center.
The center's readiness level is now listed as a Level II escalated response, according to the Sunday release. Beginning Monday, the National Weather Service said impending weather could include strong winds, blowing snow, critical fire weather conditions and severe thunderstorms.
Snow and dangerous wind chills are anticipated to impact the Panhandle region, while the western and southwestern portions of Texas can anticipate fire weather conditions, the release said. In the eastern and southeastern portions of the station, severe thunderstorms could bring large hail, heavy rain and possible flash flooding.
“The State of Texas stands ready to deploy all available resources to take care of Texans and our communities as multiple severe weather threats begin to impact the state tomorrow,” Abbott said in the release. “To ensure that support and resources are swiftly deployed to all impacted communities, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the readiness level of the State Operation Center. Texans in at-risk areas are encouraged to remain vigilant, monitor weather conditions, and heed the guidance of local officials and emergency management personnel.”
The following resources are on standby:
- Texas Department of Transportation: Pre-treatment and treatment of roadways along with monitoring road conditions
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1): Urban Search & Rescue Teams as well as Swiftwater Boat Squads
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Firefighting personnel, heavy equipment (including motor graders designed for snow removal), saw crews and Incident Management Teams
- Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Winter and severe weather packages
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air, water and wastewater monitoring
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster assessment and recovery resources
- Texas Animal Health Commission: Organizing animal and agricultural resource needs
- Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring, working with utility providers in threatened regions
- Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitor natural gas supply statewide and communicate with oil and gas industries
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, Tactical Marine Unit
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Game Wardens, Boat Squads
- Texas National Guard: Personnel, equipment to support response needs
- Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring technology infrastructure
- Texas Education Agency: Monitor school district needs statewide
- Texas Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster: Coordinate volunteer organizations statewide
Information on weather safety, local warming centers, road conditions and flood tracking resources is available online.