Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to mobilize state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe winter weather expected to affect Texas this week. This directive comes as temperatures are forecasted to drop below freezing, bringing snow, ice, and freezing rain to various regions.

"The State of Texas is working around-the-clock to ensure Texans have the resources and support needed as severe winter weather impacts communities across Texas," stated Governor Abbott. He emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant, checking road conditions via DriveTexas.org before traveling, and adhering to guidance from state and local authorities. "Texans can find the warming center nearest them at tdem.texas.gov/warm," he added, expressing gratitude towards emergency management personnel and first responders for their efforts.

The National Weather Service has predicted that large areas will experience freezing temperatures, with some facing disruptive snow and ice. These conditions could result in hazardous travel situations throughout the week. In preparation, over 700 personnel from the Texas Department of Transportation have been pre-treating roads with more than 500,000 gallons of brine and approximately 800 cubic yards of granular material.

Under Governor Abbott's direction, TDEM has activated several resources:

- The Texas Department of Transportation is deploying equipment and crews for road treatment.

- The Texas Division of Emergency Management is coordinating incident management teams.

- The Texas A&M Forest Service is providing saw crews for snow clearance.

- The Texas National Guard is readying high-profile vehicles for motorist assistance.

Additional resources on standby include:

- The Public Utility Commission monitoring power outages.

- The Railroad Commission overseeing natural gas supply.

- Various agencies like the Texas Department of State Health Services preparing medical support packages.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through local forecasts, verify road conditions before travel, and heed instructions from emergency officials. Winter weather safety tips are available at TexasReady.gov. Warming centers can be located at tdem.texas.gov/warm, while real-time road updates can be checked on DriveTexas.org.