Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday that he directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources ahead of the winter weather expected to impact the state, including North Texas, later this week.
A wintry mix of precipitation is expected to begin falling in North Texas on Thursday. Freezing rain is expected in Central Texas, and cold rain is expected in Southeast Texas.
“The State of Texas is working around the clock to ensure Texans have the resources and support needed as severe winter weather impacts communities across Texas,” Abbott said. “As temperatures begin to drop below freezing and regions of Texas face snow, ice, and freezing rain, it is crucial that everyone remain weather-aware, check DriveTexas.org before traveling, and heed the guidance of state and local officials. Texans can find the warming center nearest them at tdem.texas.gov/warm. I thank emergency management personnel and first responders for working tirelessly to help Texans prepare and stay safe during this winter weather.”
TDEM activated the following state emergency response resources at the direction of Gov. Abbott to support winter weather response operations:
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- Texas Department of Transportation: Winter weather roadway equipment and crews pre-treating and treating roadways; personnel and equipment to assist with traffic control and road closures
- Texas Division of Emergency Management: Incident Management Teams; personnel working with local partners to update warming center maps
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews; motor graders and personnel to assist with snow/ice clearance
- Texas National Guard: High-profile vehicles and personnel responding to support stranded motorists
The following state emergency response resources have been placed on standby for deployment as needed, TDEM said:
- Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordinating with utility providers across the threat area
- 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
- Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Winter Weather Packages including medics and ambulances
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster assessment and recovery agents
- Texas Animal Health Commission: Coordinating animal/agricultural resource needs
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers to patrol Texas roadways
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Game Wardens to support local law enforcement; high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists
- Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring technology infrastructure
- Texas Education Agency: Monitoring school district needs across the state
According to Abbott's office, more than 700 Texas Department of Transportation personnel prepared over the weekend for winter weather by pre-treating roads, bridges, and overpasses with over 500,000 gallons of brine and approximately 800 cubic yards of granular material.
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Texans are urged to monitor local forecasts, check road conditions before traveling on roadways, and follow instructions from emergency officials, TDEM said.
