Gov. Greg Abbott held a severe weather briefing at the Texas State Emergency Operations Center on Sept. 28 and directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state emergency response resources ahead of expected heavy rainfall and flash flooding, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The governor’s office said the threat is expected to affect large portions of Texas over the next several days. Citing the National Weather Service, the release said tropical moisture from Hurricane Polo will combine with an approaching low-pressure system to bring widespread chances for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, beginning in Far West Texas and expanding across most of the state by midweek. The release identified excessive rainfall and flash flooding as the primary hazards.
“I have activated additional state emergency response resources ahead of heavy rainfall and flash flooding,” Abbott said in the release. “State resources are available to support local officials. Texans should monitor local forecasts, avoid flooded roadways, and heed guidance from state and local officials. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
The release said the State Operations Center will begin around-the-clock operations. Abbott was joined at the briefing by TDEM Chief Nim Kidd; Brandye Hendrickson, deputy executive director for planning and administration at the Texas Department of Transportation; Texas Military Department Adjutant General Thomas M. Suelzer; Texas Department of Public Safety Director Col. Freeman Martin; and Texas Game Wardens Col. Ron VanderRoest.
At the governor’s direction, more than 1,900 state responders and over 1,500 pieces of equipment have been made available, the release said. Texas A&M Task Force 1 is providing swiftwater rescue boat squads and high-profile vehicles, while TDEM is deploying the State of Texas Incident Management Team. The Texas National Guard is supplying personnel, high-profile vehicles and Black Hawk helicopters, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens are contributing rescue boat teams and hoist-equipped helicopters. The Department of Public Safety is providing troopers, helicopters and its Tactical Marine Unit, and the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force is offering medics, ambulances and all-terrain vehicles.
Other agencies are supporting the effort, according to the release. The Texas Department of Transportation is monitoring road conditions, the Public Utility Commission of Texas is monitoring power outages, the Railroad Commission of Texas is watching natural gas supply, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is monitoring air, water and wastewater systems.
The governor’s office also noted that East Texas faces increased wildfire danger and South Texas will experience extreme heat.
State officials urged Texans to assemble an emergency supply kit, follow instructions from local officials and review family communication plans. The release pointed residents to DriveTexas.org for road conditions and TexasReady.gov for preparedness information.