Gov. Greg Abbott gave an update on the state’s expected response to an arctic weather event expected to arrive over the weekend.
He urged residents across the state to prepare for wintry conditions through midweek.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth expects a mix of rain and freezing rain and freezing temperatures across North Texas late this weekend. The organization predicts a mix of rain and freezing rain on Sunday afternoon and a transition to a “wintry mix” by night.
Abbott attended a press conference on Friday with Pablo Vegas, president and CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Marc Williams, director of the Texas Department of Transportation, Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Kathleen Jackson, chair of the Public Utility Commission, and Christi Craddick, chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, to discuss state preparedness for the upcoming frigid conditions. Abbott urged Texans to avoid going outside and to protect the pipes in their homes.
“The State of Texas is working tirelessly to keep Texans safe and warm as an extraordinarily cold weather system begins to impact our state,” said Abbott. “Texans are urged to be prepared for a multi-long period of extreme cold weather and avoid going outside until this winter storm system has passed. I also encourage motorists to stay off the roads.”
Abbott urged those who must drive to consult DriveTexas.org to receive updates on road conditions.
Vegas and Craddick also offered assurance that the state’s power grid and natural gas supplies were ready for the arctic blast. Craddick, however, advised that residents practice safety with natural gas and avoid using propane tanks in their homes.
Weather experts are expecting a severe weather pattern to impact much of the United States over the coming days. In addition to freezing temperatures, the Arkansas-Oklahoma-Texas region and other eastern states could face other forms of severe weather, including damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.