Texans are bracing for a battering as Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state emergency services on high alert in anticipation of severe weather set to hammer regions across the State of Texas. In a pre-emptive strike against Mother Nature's latest onslaught, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is being marshaled to safeguard Texas communities as the storms take aim, delivering potential flooding, high winds, and hail from today until the weekend.
"The State of Texas stands ready to swiftly deploy emergency resources to Texans as severe weather begins to impact communities across our state," Abbott declared in a statement, making sure to firmly place the administration in control of the situation. The governor also took the opportunity to publicly urge residents to strictly heed the advice offered by state and local officials, be sure to make an emergency plan, and diligently monitor potentially dangerous road conditions. "Remember: turn around, don’t down," he emphasized.
@GovAbbott today directed @TDEM to activate state emergency response resources ahead of an anticipated severe weather system moving across Texas, starting today and into this weekend.
— Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel (@OPUCTX) February 2, 2024
“Turnaround, don't drown.” https://t.co/OKdFtseDJm
The forecast is grim, with the National Weather Service flagging a weather system expected to not only whip up damaging winds and hail but also bring river flooding that threatens basins still reeling from the previous week's deluge. According to official reports, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service's Texas Task Force 1 swift water boat squads have been activated and are poised to respond.
TDEM has readied an arsenal of additional resources, should the need arise. This includes more urban search and rescue teams, game wardens, National Guard personnel, Department of Transportation workers, and a tactical marine unit among others. Texans are being advised to shore up their emergency preparedness plans, stay tuned to local alerts, and tap into resources like DriveTexas.org for road conditions and TexasFlood.org for flood tracking.
The proactive response led by Governor Abbott reveals a government not willing to stand by as severe weather potentially endangers the lives and properties of its citizens. With every available tool readied for use, Texas is scant on words and robust on action, demonstrating a playbook that speaks more in the language of readiness and response than in panic and calamity.
