AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to escalate storm preparations as severe weather and flooding threats ramp up again over the next several days.
TDEM increased the readiness level of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to Level II.
Abbott said the action will ensure a quick response as the state mobilizes emergency response resources Texans need to stay safe.
“Texas stands ready to quickly deploy all available resources necessary to help communities across Texas as severe weather and flooding impacts our state,” Abbott said. "Texans are urged to remain weather aware, check DriveTexas.org before traveling, and heed the guidance of state and local officials."
According to the National Weather Service, severe weather and excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding is expected across Texas through the weekend. Risks also include flooding, large hail, damaging winds and possible tornadoes.
The next batch of storms will arrive in the Greater Houston area Thursday morning and could come in several waves. These storms could produce very heavy rainfall, damaging wind gusts, and even an isolated tornado.
A Flood Watch is in effect for Harris and northern counties through Thursday.
The NWS said moderate-to-major river flooding is also expected across the eastern half of Texas through the next couple of weeks.
Some neighborhoods north of Houston are already dealing with flooding from all the rain earlier this week.
At Abbott's direction, TDEM requested the following agencies report to the Texas State Emergency Operations Center and ensure their resources are ready to deploy as needed:
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
- Texas A&M Forest Service
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Texas Parks and Wildlife
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Texas Animal Health Commission
- Texas Department of Agriculture
- Public Utility Commission of Texas
- Railroad Commission of Texas
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Texas National Guard
- Texas Education Agency
- Texas Department of Information Resources
- Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
- American Red Cross
- Salvation ArTexans are urged to take steps to plan and prepare for severe weather and flooding by creating an emergency plan, keeping an emergency supply kit nearby, and following instructions from local officials and first responders. Texans can access weather safety information at TexasReady.gov, check road conditions at DriveTexas.org, obtain flood tracking information at TexasFlood.org, and find preparedness tips at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
Abbott continues to take action to provide all available resources to help support local communities from the impacts of severe weather, including:
