GOV. ABBOTT DEPLOYING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ACROSS TEXAS IN RESPONSE TO WINTER WEATHER

  

Governor Greg Abbott has deployed additional resources in response to issues caused by freezing conditions across the state.

Abbott announced in a release Monday that state agencies are sending resources and personnel to help local officials clear roadways and assist essential workers, such as healthcare professionals and power grid workers, in carrying out their duties.

In addition, Abbott and the Texas Military Department have deployed the National Guard across the state to conduct welfare checks and transport residents in need to warming centers.

On Sunday, Abbott received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Energy to allow Texas power generators to increase production.  However, some generators have been unable to increase production because their operations have been frozen.

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst called the power situation “dire,” saying in a message on social media Monday evening that some in Senate District 18 have been without power for more than 18 hours, and that it could take another 24 hours for power to be restored.  She said, “This is more than frozen lines.  Our base load is hugely inadequate and there are problems that must be fixed.”  She said officials are working together to find short-term solutions, but long-term solutions must be demanded.

Abbott said many power companies have been unable to generate power, whether it be from coal, natural gas, or wind power.  He said the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Public Utility Commission (PUC) are “working non-stop to restore power supply,” and encouraged Texans to stay off the roads and conserve energy.

According to the governor’s office, the following resources have been deployed:

• Texas Department of Public Safety: 3,300 Troopers and 3,300 patrol vehicles responding statewide to events in areas adversely affected by winter weather.
• Texas Military Department: 6 Winter Weather Packages consisting of 90 personnel, 28 High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicles, 1 Field Light Ambulance, and 4 Wreckers.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: 585 personnel, 531 4x4 vehicles, 50 UAS, 1 aircraft and 9 K9 teams
• Texas A&M Forest Service: 83 personnel, 6 Motor Graders, and 58 4x4’s.
• Texas Department of Transportation: 2,314 personnel, 695 snowplows, 188 loaders, 55 Motor Graders and 757 4x4 vehicles.
• Texas Emergency Medical Task Force: 1 AMBUS and 1 Ambulance Strike Team and 4 Severe Weather Packages consisting of 1 Task Force Leader, 1 MIST,1 AMBUS and 1 Ambulance Strike Team each on stand-by.

Previously, Abbott issued a disaster declaration in all 254 counties, and was granted a Federal Emergency Declaration for the state by the Biden administration.