Governor Greg Abbott has activated comprehensive state emergency response resources as a dangerous storm system barrels toward Texas, threatening severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes, and potentially catastrophic flash flooding from Thursday night through the weekend, according to state officials.
The National Weather Service warns that the severe weather threat will begin across West Texas, the Panhandle, the South Plains, and North Texas before shifting south and east throughout the weekend. The main weather event will affect Central Texas residents from Friday night through Saturday morning, with heavy rain from 9 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday. Saturday, while strong winds, light hail, and limited flooding risks will occur.
Multi-Region Threat Emerges
“Texas stands ready to deploy all emergency resources needed to help local officials respond to potential severe weather across the state,” Abbott said in his official statement.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued marginal and slight risk warnings for October 23rd and 24th across portions of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, according to ABC7 Amarillo. Friday’s severe weather potential looks particularly concerning as Gulf moisture funnels into the region, with dew points surging into the upper 50s and lower 60s across the eastern Texas Panhandle.
“The greatest potential for heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and localized flooding appears to be early Saturday morning.”
— Matt Lanza, CenterPoint Energy Manager of Meteorology
Emergency Response Mobilization
Abbott has directed multiple state agencies to prepare comprehensive response resources, including swiftwater rescue teams, medical support personnel, and helicopters equipped explicitly for flood response operations. The activation includes Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service rescue teams, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens with rescue boat teams, Texas Department of Public Safety helicopters with hoist capabilities, and Texas Department of Transportation personnel to monitor road conditions.
Most areas across Central Texas could receive 1-3 inches of rain before conditions improve Saturday morning. Large hail up to golf-ball size is the primary hazard with the strongest thunderstorms on Friday evening, though damaging winds and isolated tornadoes remain possible.
Context of Recent Disasters
The emergency activation occurs while Texas remains in recovery mode from the devastating July 4th flooding that resulted in over 100 deaths throughout Central Texas, thus becoming one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history. The disaster led to significant changes in state laws and emergency response systems throughout the state.
CenterPoint Energy has started its storm readiness plan by deploying emergency response teams throughout Houston and by working with local emergency management teams. The company’s weather monitoring team continuously monitors forecast updates as weather conditions change.
Public Safety Guidance
State officials advise Texans to stay informed about weather updates, develop comprehensive emergency plans, and follow all instructions from local authorities. The public can find essential safety information and current updates at TexasReady.gov, DriveTexas.org, and TexasFlood.org.
The weather in Central Texas will stay calm throughout Thursday except for occasional light rain showers that will affect areas east of Interstate 35 before the primary weather system reaches the region on Friday evening. The National Weather Service warns that heavy rainfall from previous storms has created conditions that pose a significant flash-flooding threat in affected areas.