Gov. Abbott issues disaster declaration in preparation for deep freeze

Due to the severe, record-breaking winter weather Texas is and will continue experiencing over the next week, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration across all 254 counties, expanding state resource deployment on Friday.

The declaration orders the Texas State Operations Center to expand operations to 24-hours per day until the end of next week, assisting local officials and severe weather response efforts.

"Texas should heed the guidance of their local leaders and stay alert to changing weather conditions in their area," Abbott said in a press release. "These resources will help us respond to this severe winter weather and keep our communities safe. The State of Texas remains in close contact with officials on the ground and will provide any additional resources and support that are needed."

The Texas Division of Emergency Management has deployed the following resources to response operations:

• Winter weather roadway preparation equipment, road condition monitoring and response crews by the Texas Department of Transportation
• Courtesy patrols to assist stranded motorists along major corridors by the Texas Highway Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety
• Four-wheel drive vehicles with personnel to assist stranded motorists along major travel corridors by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Motor graders to assist with snow/ice clearance and saw crews to remove fallen trees by the Texas A&M Forest Service
• Search and rescue teams by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and the Texas Task Force 1
• Power outage monitoring and reporting by the Public Utility Commission of Texas
• Response crews to address livestock concerns by the Texas Animal Health Commission