Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of tropical weather activity in the Gulf of Mexico that will begin to impact the state this week.
“Texas stands ready to deploy all resources and assistance needed to help support communities in Southeast Texas that are in the path of a potentially devastating tropical storm,” said Governor Abbott. “I urge Texans to remain weather aware and heed the guidance of local officials to keep themselves and their families safe. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
According to the National Weather Service, the Gulf of Mexico is being monitored for potential tropical development over the next several days. Threats of heavy rainfall and flooding are expected to intensify beginning Tuesday evening. Large areas of the state may be impacted, including South Texas and the Coastal Bend stretching toward Southeast Texas.
At the Governor’s direction, TDEM has activated the following state emergency response resources to support tropical weather response operations:
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2): Urban Search & Rescue Teams and Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads
- Texas National Guard: Ground Transportation Platoons with high profile vehicles, helicopters with hoist capability
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Warden search and rescue boat teams
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Tactical Marine Unit boats and rescue swimmers, search and rescue aircraft with hoist capability
- Texas Department of Transportation: High profile vehicles and personnel monitoring road conditions
- Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Severe Weather Packages
The following state emergency response resources have been readied by TDEM for mobilization as conditions warrant:
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Incident Management Teams and saw crews
- 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/wastewater monitoring