Abbott Orders Level II Emergency Readiness for Texas Severe Weather

AUSTIN, TX - Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to increase the readiness level of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) to Level II (Escalated Response) for severe weather threats in the Texas forecast.

"Texas is closely monitoring increased weather threats expected across Texas throughout the week," said Governor Abbott. "I have directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the State Operations Center to Readiness Level II for Texas to better respond to potential severe weather. I urge all Texans to remain weather aware, heed the guidance of state and local officials, and create an emergency plan to keep themselves and their loved ones safe."

According to the National Weather Service, a storm system moving through the state is expected to bring daily risks of severe thunderstorms through the later part of this week across large portions of the state. Threats include large hail, damaging wind gusts, possible tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and possible tornadoes. Flash flooding concerns caused by repeated rounds of heavy rainfall remains a threat through the weekend. Texans are urged to monitor local forecast information from trusted weather sources.

At the direction of the Governor, TDEM requested that representatives from the following member agencies of the Texas Emergency Management Council report to the SOC:

• Texas Department of Transportation
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
• Texas A&M Forest Service
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force)
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas Animal Health Commission
• Texas Department of Agriculture
• Public Utility Commission of Texas
• Railroad Commission of Texas
• Electric Reliability Council of Texas
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Texas National Guard
• Texas Department of Information Resources
• Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army

Additionally, Governor Abbott directed TDEM to mobilize additional state emergency response resources ahead of severe weather impacts. At the Governor’s direction, the following state emergency response resources remain available to support local severe weather operations and ongoing wildfire response:

• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2): Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads and Urban Search and Rescue Teams to assist with flood rescues
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: The State of Texas Incident Management Team, All Hazards Group responders, Incident Support Task Force, Disaster Recovery Task Force, and regional personnel to support deployed emergency response resources across the state
• Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel monitoring road conditions
• Texas A&M Forest Service (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System): More than 350 state, local, and out-of-state firefighters and support personnel; More than 115 pieces of heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders; and more than 20 federally contracted firefighting aircraft including large air tankers, single-engine air tankers for retardant drops, super scoopers for water drops, air attack platforms for surveillance and spotting, an aerial supervision module for aerial guidance
• Texas National Guard: Personnel and high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists; Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters with firefighting capability
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with water rescues
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, helicopters with hoist capability, and the Tactical Marine Unit to assist stranded motorists
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Wildland Fire and Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents and County Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers
• Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air, water, and wastewater monitoring

Texans are encouraged to prepare for severe weather and wildfire impacts by making an emergency plan, following directions from local officials, and packing an emergency supply kit. Texans are reminded never to walk or drive through flooded roadways as storms move through the state and are urged to avoid activities that could cause a spark in areas experiencing increased fire danger.

For real-time road conditions, visit DriveTexas.org, find comprehensive severe weather and wildfire safety information at TexasReady.gov, and access all-hazards preparedness tips at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.