Press Release<\/a><\/p>\n Governor Greg Abbott today held a severe weather briefing and press conference at the Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) to provide an update on the state\u2019s preparations for increased heavy rainfall and flooding threats expected to impact large portions of Texas over the next several days. Governor Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state emergency response resources. The SOC will begin 24\/7 operations effective 7 AM Tuesday September 28.<\/p>\n \u201cI have activated additional state emergency response resources ahead of heavy rainfall and flash flooding,\u201d said Governor Abbott. \u201cState 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\u2019t Drown.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the National Weather Service, tropical moisture from Hurricane Polo combined with an approaching low-pressure system will bring widespread chances for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, beginning in Far West Texas later today and expanding across the majority of the state by midweek. The primary hazards associated with these storms are excessive rainfall and flash flooding. Texans are urged never to drive or walk through flooded roadways, as floodwaters may be deeper and move more rapidly than they appear.<\/p>\n The Governor was joined by TDEM Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Transportation Deputy Executive Director for Planning and Administration Brandye Hendrickson, Texas Military Department Adjutant General Thomas M. Suelzer, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Colonel Freeman Martin, and Texas Game Wardens Colonel Ron VanderRoest.<\/p>\n At the direction of Governor Abbott, more than 1,900 state responders and over 1,500 pieces of equipment have been made available to support local severe weather and flood response operations including:<\/p>\n \tTexas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1): Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads, high profile vehicles to assist with flood rescue Additionally, East Texas faces increased wildfire danger, and South Texas will experience extreme heat conditions.<\/p>\n Last week, Governor Abbott directed TDEM to\u00a0activate<\/a>\u00a0state emergency response resources ahead of potential impacts from severe weather and flash flooding.<\/p>\n Texans should prepare for severe weather by assembling an emergency supply kit, following instructions issued by local officials, and reviewing family communication plans. Visit\u00a0DriveTexas.org<\/a>\u00a0for real-time road conditions, access comprehensive severe weather preparedness information at\u00a0TexasReady.gov<\/a>, find flood information at\u00a0TexasFlood.org<\/a>, and locate all-hazards preparedness tips at\u00a0tdem.texas.gov\/prepare<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\tTexas Division of Emergency Management:\u00a0The State of Texas Incident Management Team, All Hazards Group responders, and regional personnel to support deployed emergency response resources across the state
\n\tTexas Department of Transportation:\u00a0Personnel monitoring road conditions
\n\tTexas National Guard:\u00a0Personnel and high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists; Blackhawk helicopters to assist with flood rescues
\n\tTexas Parks and Wildlife Department:\u00a0Game Wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with water rescues
\n\tTexas Department of Public Safety:\u00a0Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, helicopters with hoist capability, and the Tactical Marine Unit
\n\tTexas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force):\u00a0Severe Weather Support Packages with medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
\n\tTexas A&M Forest Service (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System):\u00a0All Hazards Strike Teams to support local responders
\n\tTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service:\u00a0Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents and County Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs
\n\tPublic Utility Commission of Texas:\u00a0Power-outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers
\n\tRailroad Commission of Texas:\u00a0Monitoring of the state\u2019s natural-gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
\n\tTexas Commission on Environmental Quality:\u00a0Air, water, and wastewater monitoring<\/p>\n