Gov. Abbott Activates State Emergency Resources Ahead of Flood Threat From Remnants of Hurricane Simon
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Oct. 13 directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of severe weather, heavy rainfall, and potential flash flooding expected to affect parts of West Texas this week, according to a press release from the governor's office in Austin.
According to the National Weather Service, a weather system formed by the remnants of Hurricane Simon is expected to bring rounds of thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding. The threats were expected to reach parts of the Texas Panhandle on Oct. 13 and continue into midweek, before expanding south and east to include the South Plains, Permian Basin, Big Country, Texoma, Big Bend, and Texas Border regions, the governor's office said.
The state resources made available include swiftwater rescue boat squads, urban search and rescue teams, and high-profile vehicles from Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2; the State of Texas Incident Management Team and regional personnel from TDEM; road-condition monitoring from the Texas Department of Transportation; game wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Highway Patrol troopers, helicopters, and the Tactical Marine Unit from the Department of Public Safety; severe weather support packages with medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles from the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force; all-hazards strike teams from the Texas A&M Forest Service; disaster assessment agents from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; and power-outage, natural gas, and air/water/wastewater monitoring from the Public Utility Commission, the Railroad Commission, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
"The State of Texas is prepared to respond to the threat of severe weather and flash flooding across West Texas," Abbott said in the release. He urged Texans to monitor local forecasts, follow guidance from state and local officials, and never drive through flooded roadways. Road conditions are available at DriveTexas.org and safety tips at TexasReady.gov.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 德州罗马（Roma）洪灾救援资料图，公共领域，摄影：Daniel Llargues（FEMA，经 Wikimedia Commons）
