Texas activates emergency resources for West Texas flood threat

Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources due to the threat of severe weather and flash flooding across West Texas. The National Weather Service indicates that a weather system linked to the remnants of Hurricane Simon is expected to bring heavy rainfall, large hail, and damaging winds.

The weather threat is projected to impact the Texas Panhandle before expanding into the South Plains, Concho Valley, Permian Basin, Big Country, Texoma, Big Bend, and Texas border regions.

Activated resources include swift-water rescue boat squads, urban search-and-rescue teams, and helicopters with hoist capabilities from the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. Additional support includes Texas Department of Transportation personnel to monitor roadways, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens, and various medical and hazardous-materials strike teams to assist local emergency services.