Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of tropical weather activity in the Gulf of Mexico, expected 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,” Abbott said. “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.”
The National Weather Service is monitoring the Gulf 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, including South Texas and the Coastal Bend stretching toward Southeast Texas, may be impacted.
TDEM has activated several state emergency response resources to support the 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 Additionally, TDEM has readied the following resources for mobilization as needed:
• 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, and wastewater monitoring With hurricane season underway, Texans are reminded to follow flood preparedness and safety tips, including knowing flood risks, signing up for emergency alerts, building an emergency supply kit, and protecting property.
More information can be found at texasready. gov and tdem.texas.gov/ prepare.
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