Texas on High Alert: Tornadoes, Giant Hail and Flash Flooding Threatens the State
Gov. Abbott Activates Emergency Resources, Texans urged to remain weather-aware, regularly check road conditions, and heed the guidance of state and local officials.
Brace yourselves for tornadoes, hail and flash floods. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources ahead of a severe weather threat across the state. The move comes as multiple storm systems threaten portions of Texas through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. “Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary resources to help local officials respond to potential severe weather across the state,” Abbott said in a news release.
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.
The State of Texas will continue to closely monitor weather conditions to protect the well-being of communities across our state.” Storms could produce large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain that sparks flash flooding, and possible tornadoes, wrote the Dallas Express. According to the Express, Abbott’s order makes these resources available to aid local operations:
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2): Swiftwater rescue boat squads and urban search-and-rescue teams for flood rescues.
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: State Incident Management Team and All-Hazards Group responders.
• Texas National Guard: Personnel and high-profile vehicles for stranded motorists; Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters for flood rescues.
• Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel tracking road conditions statewide.
• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews for road clearing; Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System strike teams for local services.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability for flood rescues.
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Highway Patrol troopers, helicopters with hoist capability, and the Tactical Marine Unit.
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Severe weather support packages with medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles.
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster assessment and recovery agents plus county extension agents for agriculture and livestock.
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and utility coordination.
• Railroad Commission of Texas: Oversight of natural gas supply and oil-and-gas industry outreach.
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Monitoring of air, water, and wastewater. The Texas State Emergency Operations Center remains at Level III — increased readiness — to handle severe weather alongside lingering wildfire risks in parts of the state. Residents should assemble emergency kits, develop family plans, and follow local officials. rsadf
Safety tips appear at TexasReady.gov, road updates at DriveTexas.org, and preparedness advice at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.