Governor Greg Abbott today extended the State of Texas’ response and recovery efforts following severe storms in Northeast Texas throughout Friday and overnight Saturday into Saturday. Earlier this week, the governor directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy state resources to support local authorities’ response to these severe storms.
“The State of Texas stands with Texans and communities impacted by the severe weather yesterday and last night in Northeast Texas, and I have deployed all available resources to help respond and prepare. restore,” Governor Abbott said. “Texans affected by this severe weather event are strongly encouraged to report the damage to TDEM’s iSTAT survey so that we can provide the resources necessary for the recovery of our communities. I thank all of our State Emergency Management personnel and local for their quick response to keep Texans safe and sound and for their continued service in helping Texans recover from these storms.”
Preliminary damage assessments conducted by local and state authorities are underway, and the State of Texas continues to have numerous response and recovery resources committed to the affected area to respond to requests for assistance from local authorities. .
State resources used in response and recovery efforts include:
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service: Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2 Search and Rescue Teams, and Texas A&M Public Works Response Team
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw Crews and Heavy Debris Clearing Equipment
- Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Severe Weather Packages, including medical buses and ambulances
- Texas Department of Transportation: Crews and Equipment Clearing Road Debris
- Texas Department of Public Safety: State Troopers and Helicopters for Aerial Damage Investigations
- Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife: Game Wardens
- Texas Public Utilities Commission: personnel monitoring power outages and coordinating power restoration with utility providers in affected areas
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: staff working with local authorities to monitor drinking water, wastewater, and air quality
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents
- Texas Division of Emergency Management: Field personnel, disaster recovery task force, and mass care coordination in support of local authorities
- Texas A&M University – Commerce: Damage Assessment Personnel in Affected Areas
Texans affected by the weather are encouraged to complete the Texas Individual State Assessment Tool (iSTAT) survey. The information provided in the survey helps emergency management officials understand the damage that has occurred and helps officials determine whether the state meets federally required thresholds for various forms of disaster assistance. disaster, as well as to identify immediate resource needs. The iSTAT Damage Survey can be completed in multiple languages online by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov and clicking November 3-5, 2022: Severe Weather Event.
“TDEM is asking for the assistance of the public, especially those affected by these severe weather events, to provide details through the iSTAT damage survey when it is safe to do so,” Chief Nim Kidd said. of TDEM. “This information will help officials determine where the needs are and how best to help. This survey is a valuable tool for local and state officials to better understand the extent of the damage in order to seek out the necessary resources for those who have it. need.”
Reporting damage through the iSTAT tool is a voluntary activity and does not replace reporting damage to your insurance agency. It does not guarantee disaster assistance. TDEM has published a video tutorial in English and Spanish explaining iSTAT surveys on the survey homepage.
