TEXAS, USA — Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is increasing the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center to Level II on Friday, July 5, prior to Hurricane Beryl's anticipated landfall on the Texas Coast.
"Texas is prepared to quickly deploy all available emergency response resources to assist at-risk communities," Abbott stated in a press release. "As Texans and visitors around the south coastal areas begin to celebrate our nation's Independence Day, I urge them to make an emergency plan, review hurricane evacuation routes, and continue to monitor weather conditions to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones."
According to the release, the hurricane is a major Category 3 and is forecasted to continue its west/northwest path through the Caribbean and across the Yucatan Peninsula before turning more northwest as it makes landfall on the Texas Coast this weekend.
The release states that the escalated response will go into effect at 10 a.m. on Friday and the TDEM will prepare the following entities for potential deployment:
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service: Up to 200 Search and Rescue Personnel, including Urban Search & Rescue Teams and Boat Squads
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System All-Hazard Incident Strike Teams
- Texas National Guard: Up to 1,000 National Guard Personnel, including High Profile Vehicles and Helicopters
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, Tactical Marine Unit, and Aircraft
- Texas Department of State Health Services: Medical Incident Support Teams, severe weather packages
- Texas Department of Transportation: Highway maintenance personnel, and personnel to monitor roadway conditions
The Governor's Office encourages Texans to keep up with local weather forecasts and follow directions from officials. For additional information on these preparations, visit here.
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