Acting Governor Dan Patrick Gives Press Conference on Texas’ Hurricane Beryl Preparations and Response

July 7, 2024

AUSTIN - Acting Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement today following his press conference with Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd:

"As Hurricane Beryl approaches the Texas coast, now is the time for Texans to make their final preparations to protect themselves and their property. 121 counties are already under state disaster declaration, and more may be added if conditions warrant.

"Beryl is expected to intensify right up to landfall and could transform into a Category 2 Hurricane. Landfall is expected early Monday morning between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. between Corpus Christi and Galveston. Beryl is a resilient storm, and it poses a serious threat for Texans in its path at landfall and the following 24 hours as it moves through Texas. The storm's predicted path is shifting east, and the areas east of the I-35 corridor are expected to bear the brunt of the inclement weather. Residents sheltering in place should take precautions right away for sustained wind, heavy rain, flooding, storm surges on the coast, and possible tornados.

"It is of utmost importance that Texans pay close attention to their local officials. As Acting Governor, I am in constant communication with state agencies and will continue to do so. Do not ignore this very serious storm."

To view Acting Governor Patrick's press conference from earlier today, click here.

To view Acting Governor Patrick's disaster declarations, click here.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to intensify as it moves northwest through the Gulf of Mexico, before it takes a northerly turn to make landfall along the mid-Texas coast as a hurricane on Monday. Interests in Texas should closely monitor this system and finalize preparations for hurricane impacts, including heavy rainfall, flooding, potential tornadoes, and damaging winds as the system moves inland across the state.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) increased the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center as of 10 a.m. Friday and Texas Emergency Management Council agencies are working 24-hour operations, while also continuing to pre-position state emergency response resources that were readied for deployment by Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday.

The State of Texas currently has more than 2,500 responders and 1,200 assets rostered and deployed in support of the state's response to anticipated impacts from Hurricane Beryl. The following state emergency response resources have been rostered and deployed to support response operations:

• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 & Texas Task Force 2): Search and Rescue Personnel, and Swiftwater Boat Squads.
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service: Texas A&M Public Works Response Team.
• Texas A&M Forest Service: Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) All-Hazards Incident Strike Teams and Saw Crews, including personnel, and fire engines.
• Texas National Guard: National Guard Personnel, including High Profile Vehicles and Chinook & Black Hawk Helicopters.
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, the Tactical Marine Unit, and Helicopters with hoist capabilities.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens and Park Police to provide law enforcement support, along with Swiftwater Boats, Airboats, Flat Bottom Boats, Four-wheel Drive Vehicles, and Helicopters.
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Emergency Medical Task Force): Medical Incident Support Teams and Severe Weather Packages, including Ambuses, Ambulances, and Command Vehicles.
• Texas Department of Transportation: Highway maintenance personnel and personnel to monitor roadway conditions.
• Texas Animal Health Commission: Personnel to provide livestock support.
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents as well as AgriLife Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs.
• Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring for potential cyber-threats and impacts to technology infrastructure.
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring
• Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring the state's natural gas supply, and communicating with the oil & gas industry.
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Personnel to coordinate with utility providers across the threat area.
• Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: Coordinating volunteer organizations across impacted areas.
• FEMA Region 6: More than 100 personnel, 500,000 Meals Ready to Eat, 800,000 liters of Water, 20,000 Tarps, 2,500 Rolls of Plastic Sheathing, Generators, Urban Search and Rescue Teams, Tractor-Trailers, Communications and Command Vehicles.

Texans are urged to stay informed, monitor local weather forecasts, follow directions from local officials, make an emergency plan, review hurricane evacuation routes, build a kit containing emergency supplies, and consider reviewing flood risk and insurance coverage. Additionally, visitors to Texas beaches should review beach safety tips and remain aware of the risks of rip currents during an approaching tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico.

Texans are encouraged to visit the TDEM Disaster Portal or Texas Hurricane Center webpages for storm information. Additional storm safety and preparedness information is available at TexasReady.gov and tdem.texas.gov/prepare.

The State of Texas continues to take action to provide all available resources to help support local communities from the anticipated impacts of Hurricane Beryl, including:

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