Abbott Mobilizes State Response as Severe Storms Threaten Texas

Governor Greg Abbott has mobilized emergency response resources from the statestate emergency response resources in anticipation of severe storms projected to impact Texas starting Thursday night and extending through the weekend.

“Texas is prepared to mobilize all necessary emergency resources to assist local officials in addressing potential severe weather throughout the state,” Abbott stated in a release on Thursday afternoon.

Forecasters are warning of an unstable weather situation that could lead to intense thunderstorms, significant hail, destructive winds, potential tornado activity, and rapid flooding. The area of concern starts in West Texas, encompassing the Panhandle, the South Plains, and North Texas, before moving south and east through Sunday.

Abbott has instructed various state agencies, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management, to activate flood response resources like swiftwater rescue teams, medical strike units, and helicopters. The governor called on Texans to remain vigilant and get ready for swiftly evolving circumstances.

“Residents are urged to stay updated on weather reports, develop a safety plan, and follow the advice of local authorities,” Abbott stated.

A series of watches and warnings have been issued by the NWS across multiple counties, alerting residents to the risk of flash flooding in low-lying regions and near creeks and rivers. Experts have issued alerts about significant rainfall amounts in Central and East Texas, potentially causing hazardous driving conditions.

On Thursday afternoon, Central Texas encountered initial indications of weather-related issues. Approximately 5,000 customers of Austin Energy experienced power outages in Central and Northwest Austin, affecting areas such as Brentwood and Northwest Hills. By 3:30 p.m., the utility had successfully restored power to all customers impacted, as indicated on its outage map.

Austin Energy reported that the cause of the outages is still being looked into but highlighted that crews are diligently working to maintain service reliability as storms approach.

Officials are actively collaborating with local emergency management teams and public utilities to adjust to evolving weather conditions. Residents of Texas are encouraged to check the state's emergency portal or listen to local alerts for the latest updates over the weekend.