Emergency teams in Texas prepare for freezing temperatures and potential snowstorms

Cruz Arroyo January 8, 2025

Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the TDEM to raise the Texas State Operations Center (SOC) to a Level II (Escalated Response) readiness level — Courtesy of TDEM

Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to raise the Texas State Operations Center (SOC) to a Level II (Escalated Response) readiness level as Texas gets ready for a severe cold wave. This action is in line with the winter that the state is supposed to have beginning today and running through the weekend.

“With below-freezing temperatures beginning to impact large portions of the state, Texas is increasing the readiness level of the State Operations Center to ensure resources are swiftly deployed to communities,” said Governor Abbott. “As the State of Texas mobilizes the emergency response resources Texans need to stay safe and warm, I urge everyone to remain weather-aware, regularly monitor road conditions before traveling, and heed guidance from state and local officials.” He also expressed his gratitude towards the first responders and emergency management personnel who are gearing up to help communities withstand the chilly conditions.

According to the National Weather Service, throughout the week a sizable portion of Texas will see continuous freezing and below-freezing weather. The northern, western, and central areas of the state also run the danger of accumulating snow, sleet, ice, and freezing rain.

Following Governor Abbott’s direction, TDEM has worked with other agencies to get ready for the approaching bad weather. These preparations call for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, which has set Public Works Response Teams, and the Texas Department of Transportation, which has prepared its winter weather roadway equipment and staff for pre-treating and road treatment.

Other significant participants are the Texas Division of Emergency Management, which is updating warming center maps in association with local partners; the Texas Department of State Health Services, which has created Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Winter Weather Packages including medics and ambulances; and the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which is tracking power outages and liaising with utility providers throughout the threatened areas.

The Texas Department of Agriculture, coordinating agricultural resource needs, and the Texas National Guard, which is sending high-profile vehicles and people to help stranded drivers, are among agencies involved in the preparations. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is also on standby with Game Wardens to support local law enforcement and provide assistance to motorists.

Following his previous instructions to TDEM, Governor Abbott’s proactive actions activate state emergency response resources in expectation of the extreme winter conditions. Texans are urged to establish a plan, carefully follow the directions of emergency professionals, and prepare an emergency supplies kit.

Residents may visit TexasReady.gov for safety recommendations, locate local warming facilities at tdem.texas.gov/warm, and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org for further information on how to be safe during winter weather. These tools provide critical information to enable Texans successfully negotiate the difficulties presented by the approaching winter storms.