Texas Declares State of Emergency Due To Severe Weather Predictions

With the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail, along with the possibility of flooding rain, the State of Texas has decided to be proactive.

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According to the Office of the Texas Governor, emergency response resources have been activated ahead of the threat of severe weather that is expected throughout the state. The Texas State Emergency Operations Center readiness level has been raised to Level II (Escalated Response).

What Emergency Response Resources Include

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has activated Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force One and Texas Task Force Two): Boat Squads and Urban Search and Rescue Packages for emergency weather if necessary. The following state resources are also on standby:

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw Crews and Incident Management Teams
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Boat Teams to support water rescue operations
• Texas National Guard: Transportation platoons and helicopters with hoist capability
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Severe Weather Packages
• Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas Highway Patrol): Helicopters with hoist capability
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring/coordination with utility providers in the threat area.
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Personnel to monitor drinking water, wastewater and air quality
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents

Severe Weather Safety

Emergency government site ready.gov recommends that you should do the following when severe weather is predicted:

• Create a plan with your family before severe weather hits
• Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in your vehicle
• Check your insurance policies
• Evacuate if advised by local authorities