UPDATE: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the western portion of North Texas until 9 p.m.
AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management on Tuesday to prepare additional state resources for mobilization as Texans face critical-to-extreme wildfire weather conditions in the Western half of the state and severe storm threats in the Eastern half of the state.
The Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) is operating at Level II: Escalated Response in support of severe weather and wildfire response.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak is possible today, April 12, in the Texas Panhandle. This event may impact communities near Canadian, Amarillo, Childress, Lubbock, and Midland where extremely dry vegetation will be subjected to above normal temperatures, low humidity, and high wind speeds. A heightened threat of fire danger through Wednesday includes the Panhandle, South Plains, Permian Basin, West Texas, Big Country, Concho Valley, Texoma, and the Border Region.
“The State of Texas has mobilized resources for West and East Texas ahead of critical fire weather and severe storm threats in those regions, respectively,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans are encouraged to remain resilient and heed the guidance of local officials to protect their loved ones, and we thank our emergency responders who are working to protect our communities this Holy Week.”
The increased risk of severe storms brings potential for large hail, damaging winds, tornados, and flash flooding in North, Central, and East Texas through Wednesday.
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