AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy state emergency response resources and activated the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to Level II response conditions, ahead of Tuesday’s expected arrival of Tropical Depression Nine’s in South Texas.
Tropical Depression Nine was expected to strengthen into a tropical storm ahead of landfall, bringing heavy rain, flooding, tropical storm force winds through Wednesday in the southern region of Texas – including the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley.
The National Hurricane Center Tuesday issued a tropical storm warning from the mouth of the Rio Grande River to Port O’Connor and a tropical storm watch from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas.
“Texas stands ready to deploy all available resources to South Texas as tropical storm conditions impact the region this week,” Abbott said on Monday from Austin.
“Ahead of heavy rainfall and dangerous winds expected, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the readiness level of the State Operations Center to ensure the swift deployment of support and resources to affected communities,” Abbott said. “I encourage Texans to remain weather-aware and heed the guidance of state and local officials and emergency management personnel as they work together to keep communities safe.”
The following resources were deployed: * Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force One): Swift water rescue boat squads and a flood water boat squad.
* Texas National Guard: Ground transportation platoons with high-profile vehicles.
* Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Texas Game Warden search and rescue boat teams.
* Texas Department of Public Safety: Tactical Marine unit boats and rescue swimmers, searchand- rescue aircraft with hoist capability.
The governor’s office said the following actions were taken and readied if needed: * Texas Department of Transportation: High-profile vehicles and personnel monitoring road conditions.
* Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Emergency Medical Task Force severe weather packages.
* Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers.
Residents in affected areas were urged to be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains, or other areas.
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