On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott activated state emergency response resources ahead of a growing threat of severe storms for a large portion of Texas beginning Oct. 23 and lasting through the weekend.
This comes after the National Weather Service is forecasting a storm system will push through the state, bringing with it a threat of severe thunderstorms, including: large hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes, heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
According to the NWS, the threat will begin late Thursday across areas of West Texas, the Panhandle, South Plains, and North Texas.
Later in the weekend, the risk shifts further south and east to include the Concho Valley, Permian Basin, Big Country, Hill Country, Piney Woods, Brazos Valley, Golden Triangle, and Deep East Texas regions, as well as South, Central, and Southeast Texas.
“State and local emergency response partners are actively monitoring weather conditions and are on standby to provide all necessary resources to protect Texans and our communities,” Abbott said. “Texans are encouraged to regularly monitor road conditions, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials.”
At the Governor’s direction, the following state emergency response resources are available to support local severe weather response operations:
The governor’s office is also urging Texans to prepare by following the instructions of local officials, making an emergency plan, and building a kit containing essential supplies.
Texans can locate severe weather safety tips at TexasReady.gov, check road conditions at DriveTexas.org, and obtain flood safety information at TexasFlood.org. All-hazards preparedness resources are available online at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
Texas weather watches and warnings
West Texas weather radar
Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Abbott activates emergency resources ahead of severe storm threat to much of Texas
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
