Abbott activates state resources ahead of severe weather threat
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources as severe storms are expected to cover a large portion of Texas beginning Thursday through the weekend.
"Texas stands ready to deploy all emergency resources needed to help local officials respond to potential severe weather across the state," said Governor Abbott.
The National Weather Service said a storm will sweep through the state, bringing with it a threat of severe thunderstorms that could include large hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding.
The storm threat will begin in West Texas, the Panhandle, South Plains, and North Texas. And as the weekend goes on, the risk will shift south and east to include the Concho Valley, Permian Basin, Big Country, Hill Country, and more, according to the press release.
The following state emergency response resources will be available to support local severe weather response operations, according to Abbott:
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- Public Utility Commission of Texas
- Railroad Commission of Texas
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality