The issue of winter storms and their impact on the power grid in Texas is taken so seriously that Gov. Greg Abbott addressed the matter this week.
On Thursday, severe weather was forecasted in the state and Abbott vowed the state was “ready to swiftly respond with emergency resources.”
With last year’s winter storm and the 2021 Winter Storm Uri in recent memory, the governor issued a press release explaining he even directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to ready state emergency response resources ahead of the severe thunderstorms expected in the eastern half of the state.
“Texans in at-risk areas are encouraged to remain vigilant, regularly monitor weather conditions, and take necessary safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones. I thank all of the brave emergency personnel as they prepare to protect their fellow Texans during this severe weather.”
The National Weather Service had predicted eastern Texas could see a risk of tornadoes and threats of damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
The governor also put numerous other state agencies under alert and ordered to be on standby.
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1): Boat Squads & Urban Search and Rescue Teams
• Texas A&M Forest Service: Incident Management Teams and saw crews
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Emergency Medical Task Force): Severe weather packages
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens and Boat Squads
• Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel and equipment to assist with traffic control and road closures
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordinating with utility providers in the threat area