HOUSTON — As we're keeping a close eye on the Gulf of Mexico, where on Sunday, Potential Tropical Cyclone Six (PTC 6) formed, the state has activated additional emergency response resources.
Governor Greg Abbott sent a release Sunday saying he directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate these resources in addition to assets previously deployed in response to heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the state.
As of Monday morning, the latest update from the National Hurricane Center said PTC 6 is expected to become a tropical storm by Monday as it moves in a northwesterly to northward direction, and a hurricane before landfall.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management will activate or have the following state emergency resources on standby Monday morning:
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas A&M Public Works Response Team): Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads, Public Works Strike Teams
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Helicopters with hoist capabilities, Texas Highway Patrol Troopers and Tactical Marine Unit
- Texas Department of Transportation: High-profile vehicles and personnel monitoring road conditions
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Warden search and rescue boat teams
- Texas National Guard: Ground Transportation Company consisting of personnel and high-profile vehicles; Helicopters with hoist capabilities
- Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Medical Incident Support Team and Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics and ambulances
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Incident Management Teams and saw crews
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents as well as AgriLife Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs
- Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers
- Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring
In the release, Gov. Abbott said, in part, "Texans are urged to take the necessary precautions for potential tropical weather, including remaining weather aware, monitoring road conditions, and having an emergency plan to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones. Texas will continue to closely monitor weather conditions to protect the well-being of Texans."
The City of Houston is also taking steps to prepare for potential impacts. Houston Mayor John Whitmire said the city is taking precautions to protect people and infrastructure.
Mayor Whitmire said the Houston Fire and Police Departments, Public Works, Solid Waste, Homeland Security, and other city agencies have reviewed their emergency plans and are ready to activate them when necessary.
Readiness efforts include pre-positioning generators, deploying high-water rescue vehicles and increasing staff levels across all departments, according to Whitmire.
"We are also collaborating closely with our community partners to maximize the efficiency of our response, should the need arise. Your safety is our priority, and we urge you to make a plan to protect yourself and your loved ones," Whitmire said in the statement.
Officials in Galveston are also preparing.
"We’re looking at high tides hitting as early as Tuesday afternoon instead of Wednesday morning, potentially as high as 4 feet above mean, plus wave height on top of that," said Galveston Island Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis.
Davis said Monday will be spent moving equipment offshore.
"We’re already moving trash cans off the beach. There are so many of them out there on the 32 miles of the beach. Our coastal zone management crew at the park board of trustees has been out there already working. We’re making plans to protect some of our equipment," Davis said.