As severe weather sweeps across the Lone Star State, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken proactive measures to shore up safety protocols, announcing the activation of state emergency response resources. Thursday brought storms that triggered a range of threats, including wind, hail, and potential tornadoes, leading Abbott to assert, "Texas is prepared to deploy all necessary resources to help local officials respond to severe weather threats," in a statement obtained by Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Abbott, urging Texans and visitors alike to be vigilant after the Christmas holidays and regularly check for updates on road conditions, has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to ready state resources, with swiftwater rescue boat squads and search and rescue teams on standby this activation includes the Texas Department of State Health Services for additional support and making sure their ready, his thanks extended to emergency personnel working tirelessly during the holiday season to assist affected Texans, as reported by Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The National Weather Service forecasts severe thunderstorms to develop across North, Central, East, and Southeast Texas, with the risks persisting throughout the weekend the potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, and flash floods a cause for concern, and minor river flooding also possible. These conditions are expected to subside early the upcoming week, providing some respite from the immediate threats.
With the Governor's directive, TDEM has activated various state emergency response resources and placed others on standby, assets like Texas A&M Task Force 1's swiftwater rescue boat squads at the ready, Abbott's commitment to safeguarding Texans reflected in his detailed planning and touch base with local officials for real-time information on the evolving situation to ensure a coordinated and timely response to any emergencies that arise, and the public can access safety tips, road conditions, flood information, and general disaster preparedness at specific sites including TexasReady.gov, DriveTexas.org, TexasFlood.org, and the TDEM website, as the situation develops further according to documentation provided by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
In the Houston area, storms on Thursday were particularly fierce, with Wharton County officials confirming at least one tornado touchdown, possibly more, as a potent line of storms barreled through around 2 p.m., although, reassuringly, no injuries were reported as of about 3:30 p.m. The urgency of the situation was underscored by the Tornado Watch that blanketed the entire Houston area until 7 p.m., as noted by KHOU's coverage.
