Texas Governor Greg Abbott increases readiness level of state operations ahead of winter weather

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BEAUMONT, TEXAS - OCTOBER 17: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference on October 17, 2022 in Beaumont, Texas. Abbott met with state and local law enforcement to discuss measures in addressing the growing problem of fentanyl in the state. I

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HOUSTON - Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that he has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the readiness level of the Texas State Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response). 

"With below-freezing temperatures beginning to impact large portions of the state, Texas is increasing the readiness level of the State Operations Center to ensure resources are swiftly deployed to communities," said Governor Abbott. "As the State of Texas mobilizes the emergency response resources Texans need to stay safe and warm, I urge everyone to remain weather-aware, regularly monitor road conditions before traveling, and heed guidance from state and local officials. I thank all the first responders and emergency management personnel for their efforts to help Texas communities brace for winter weather."

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According to the National Weather Service, a large area of the state is expected to face ongoing freezing and below-freezing temperatures throughout the rest of the week. Accumulating snow, sleet, ice and freezing rain is possible for northern, western, and central regions of the state.

At the direction of Governor Abbott, TDEM has requested representatives from the following members of the Texas Emergency Management Council report to the SOC and ensure their resources are ready to be deployed as needed:

• Texas Department of Transportation: Winter weather roadway equipment and crews pre-treating and treating roadways; personnel and equipment to assist with traffic control and road closures
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: Incident Management Teams; personnel working with local partners to update warming center maps
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service: Public Works Response Teams
• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews; motor graders and personnel to assist with snow/ice clearance
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Winter Weather Packages including medics and ambulances
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Personnel to provide information on available services through the 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network; Coordinating with long term care providers across the threat area
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster assessment and recovery agents
• Texas Animal Health Commission: Coordinating animal resource needs
• Texas Department of Agriculture: Coordinating agricultural resource needs
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordinating with utility providers across the threat area
• Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers to patrol Texas roadways
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Game Wardens to support local law enforcement; high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists
• Texas National Guard: High-profile vehicles and personnel to support stranded motorists
• Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring technology infrastructure
• Texas Education Agency: Monitoring school district needs across the state
• Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Texas VOAD): Coordinating of volunteer organizations across the state

On Monday, Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe winter weather.

Texans are encouraged to follow instructions from emergency officials and take precautions, including making a plan and preparing an emergency supply kit.

Texans can locate winter weather safety tips by visiting TexasReady.gov, find warming centers opened and operated by local officials at tdem.texas.gov/warm, and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org.