Ahead of winter weather, Gov. Greg Abbott assured residents that the electrical grid, which failed on a massive scale in 2021, is ready.
Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties on Thursday, Jan 23, to ensure that every necessary resource is made available to impacted areas from the winter blast. In a briefing with state officials at the State Operations Center in Austin, Abbot touted the additional natural gas capabilities of the state’s electrical grid, noting that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid “has never been stronger,” Abbott said.
Abbott also emphasized the importance of road safety, encouraging Texans to remain off the road unless absolutely necessary. Abbott also touted that the additional natural gas capacity in the state’s power grid is ready for winter weather.
“Whenever we go through any type of disaster, job number one is always protecting lives,” said Governor Abbott. “Because of the severity of this storm, right now I am making a disaster declaration covering 134 counties across the state of Texas to make sure that every possible resource can be made available to those communities so the state can respond quicker, faster, and better than ever before.”
Abbott: ‘Escalated Response levels’ for Texas winter weather
Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the Texas State Operations Center’s readiness level to Level II (Escalated Response). Earlier this week, he directed TDEM to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe winter weather.
Additionally, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a waiver allowing commercial truck drivers transporting goods like propane, groceries, and other essential products to operate outside maximum driving hour requirements, helping ensure the delivery and availability of critical resources to Texans throughout the state during this weather event. This waiver will be active for five days, and drivers will still be subject to all other commercial vehicle laws and regulations.
Texans are encouraged to visit the TDEM Disaster Portal for winter weather information. Texans can also find 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.
Cornyn posting winter storm resources for Texas
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn followed suit, posting several resources for Texans as they prepare for the winter blast.
“As Texans across our great state continue to weather severe winter storms, I wanted to share a few resources to help you prepare and manage the conditions this winter storm is causing,” Cornyn said via his official website. “Whether you are facing travel difficulty and hazardous road conditions, or are without power and need assistance, there are resources to help navigate these challenges and I stand ready to assist Texans in need.”
Among them were warming centers, the general information and services line at 2-1-1, driving tips and safety strategies, where to find important updates on the weather, and electricity updates.
Cruz to ‘be back before Texas Winter weather’
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was spotted on a flight from Texas to California as his home state braces for a severe winter storm.
Shea Jordan Smith, a political strategist, posted a photo of the Texas Republican on a Jan. 20 flight to Southern California on X later the same day.
Cruz’s office said in a statement to USA TODAY that the trip was “pre-planned work travel that was scheduled weeks in advance.”
The statement added that the senator would be back in Texas ahead of the storm’s arrival.
The post claims that the flight was destined for Laguna Beach; however, the tiny beach town south of Anaheim does not have an airport. John Wayne Airport in Orange County is the nearest airline hub. USA TODAY has reached out to Smith to clarify the flight’s destination.
The photo drew comparisons to a 2021 incident in which the senator fled the state for Cancún, Mexico, during an ongoing winter storm. Cruz said at the time the trip was “obviously a mistake.”
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is available at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas leaders respond to Texas winter storm 2026
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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