Texas Gov. Activates State Emergency Response Resources Due to Powerful Storms

A tornado watch was issued for parts of Texas and Louisiana Thursday night as a series of thunderstorms blasted into the south-central United States, threatening massive hail, catastrophic winds, and torrential rain.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated state emergency response resources earlier today, expecting an "increased severe weather threat" in the state's eastern half. 

The governor's office warned that severe thunderstorms are predicted in regions of north, central, east, and southeast Texas.

Texas preparing emergency resources for extreme weather

"Texas is ready to deploy all available resources to assist local officials in responding to severe weather threats," Abbott said in a press release.

"As Texans and out-of-state visitors start travel after the Christmas holiday, it is vital that everyone continually checks road conditions, creates an emergency plan, and adheres to state and local officials' instructions. 

I appreciate the emergency response personnel's efforts this holiday week to aid their fellow Texans during severe storms.”

"Given sufficient energy and a pronounced change in wind speed and direction with height in the atmosphere, all modes of severe weather are on the table, including hail, flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes," AccuWeather meteorologist Gwen Fieweger noted in an online prediction.

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