Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is activating additional state response resources ahead of increased threats of severe weather and flooding expected to impact the state over the next several days.
This comes as the National Weather Service forecasts severe weather across large portions of the Panhandle, North, West, and East Texas beginning late Sunday and lasting through the week.
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Storms on Sunday were forecast to produce damaging winds, very large hail, possible tornadoes, excessive rainfall, and flash flooding in portion of the South Plains, the Rolling Plans and north Texas. Wind gusts in excess of 80-100 mph are possible later on Sunday.
“Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary resources to support Texans as severe weather moves across our state that has potential to bring flash flooding and heavy rain,” said Abbott. “Texans are urged to remain weather-aware, regularly check road conditions, and heed the guidance of state and local officials to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones.”
According to the governor’s office, Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to ready the following emergency resources to support local severe weather response operations:
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2): Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads, Type 3 Urban Search and Rescue Teams
Texas Division of Emergency Management: The State of Texas Incident Management Team to support deployed emergency response resources across the state
Texas National Guard: Personnel and high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists
Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel monitoring road conditions
Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw Crews to assist with clearing of roadways, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Teams to support local emergency services
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with flood rescues
Texas Department of Public Safety: Helicopters with hoist capabilities, Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, and the Tactical Marine Unit
Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents, as well as 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/wastewater monitoring
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This comes after the governor activated an initial response of TDEM resources across the state last week in anticipation of severe weather, some of which struck the Lubbock and West Texas area, producing several tornadoes.
The governor’s office is also encouraging Texans to utilize the following additional resources to be prepared:
Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: State activates severe weather resources for West Texas, Panhandle