Abbott Activates Additional State Resources Ahead of Heavy Rain, Flooding Threat Across Texas

AUSTIN, TX — Gov. Greg Abbott announced additional state emergency response resources Monday as Texas prepares for increased heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding across large portions of the state over the next several days.

Abbott held a severe weather briefing and news conference at the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to provide an update on preparations. At Abbott's direction, the Texas Division of Emergency Management activated additional state resources, and the State Operations Center will begin operating around the clock at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

“I have activated additional state emergency response resources ahead of heavy rainfall and flash flooding,” Abbott said. “State resources are available to support local officials. Texans should monitor local forecasts, avoid flooded roadways, and heed guidance from state and local officials. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

According to the National Weather Service, tropical moisture from Hurricane Polo combined with an approaching low-pressure system is expected to bring widespread chances for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The weather is expected to begin in Far West Texas before expanding across most of the state by midweek.

The primary threats are excessive rainfall and flash flooding. State officials are urging Texans not to drive or walk through flooded roads because floodwaters can be deeper and move faster than they appear.

Abbott was joined at the briefing by TDEM Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Transportation Deputy Executive Director for Planning and Administration Brandye Hendrickson, Texas Military Department Adjutant General Thomas M. Suelzer, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Col. Freeman Martin and Texas Game Wardens Col. Ron VanderRoest.

More than 1,900 state responders and over 1,500 pieces of equipment have been made available to support local severe weather and flood response operations.

• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1): Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads, high profile vehicles to assist with flood rescue
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: The State of Texas Incident Management Team, All Hazards Group responders, and regional personnel to support deployed emergency response resources across the state
• Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel monitoring road conditions
• Texas National Guard: Personnel and high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists; Blackhawk helicopters to assist with flood rescues
• 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
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Severe Weather Support Packages with medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
• Texas A&M Forest Service (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System): All Hazards Strike Teams to support local responders
• 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 of the state’s natural-gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air, water, and wastewater monitoring

In addition to the flooding threat, East Texas faces an increased wildfire danger, while South Texas is expected to experience extreme heat conditions.

Abbott last week directed TDEM to activate state emergency response resources ahead of potential severe weather and flash flooding.

State officials are encouraging Texans to prepare for severe weather by assembling an emergency supply kit, following instructions from local officials and reviewing family communication plans.

Texans can check real-time road conditions at DriveTexas.org, find severe weather preparedness information at TexasReady.gov, access flood information at TexasFlood.org and find additional emergency preparedness information at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.