Governor Greg Abbott prepared resources along the Gulf Coast today ahead of Hurricane Ida landing early next week. Ida is forecast to become a dangerous, large-scale hurricane when it hits the northern Gulf Coast on Sunday, August 29th. Although Texas is expected to stay out of Ida’s direct route, Southeast and East Texans should expect heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds, and potentially prolonged power outages in the event that Hurricane Ida moves west.
“Government resources were allocated prior to Hurricane Ida, which is expected to hit the Gulf Coast on Sunday,” said Governor Abbott. “We will continue to monitor this hurricane closely and take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of Texans. Texans should follow directions and warnings from local authorities and be aware of possible flooding, strong winds and heavy rain.”
Governor Abbott approved the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s application to activate Texas A&M Task Force 1 as federal funding in support of the Hurricane Ida response.
Under the direction of Governor Abbott, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has prepared the following resources to assist with requests from local officials as needed:
- Texas A&M Forest Service: saw crews and incident management teams.
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service: Swift Water Boat Squads and Texas Task Force Two search and rescue teams.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Boat crews in support of water rescue operations.
- Texas Military Department: helicopters, protection teams and high-profile vehicle packages.
- Texas Department of State Health Services: Emergency Medical Task Force Weather Packages and Ambulance Strike Teams.
- Texas Department of Transportation: road condition monitoring, pre-positioned water-filled barriers.
- Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol: Liftable search and rescue aircraft and the Naval Tactical Unit.
- Public Utility Commission: Monitoring of power outages and coordination with energy suppliers.
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Water and Ice Contracts.
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Monitoring of Public Drinking Water and Sewage Systems.
Texans are urged to follow these flood prevention and safety tips during severe weather:
- Find out about the types of flood risks in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information here: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
- Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Weather Radio of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also provide emergency alerts.
- Set up an emergency supply set. For more information on building a kit, see: https://www.ready.gov/kit
- Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
- Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Clear out drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.
- Be extremely careful with water on streets or in streams, creeks, gullies, or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing creeks or drive flooded roads, and always obey the road barricades put up for your protection. Remember, turn around, don’t drown.
- Be extremely careful with water on streets or in streams, creeks, gullies, or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing creeks or drive flooded roads, and always obey the road barricades put up for your protection. Remember, turn around, don’t drown.
More tips on flood safety Visit gov.texas.gov/hurricane.
Texans can also visit www.TexasFlood.org for resources and tips on how to stay safe during flood events.
