Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated emergency response teams Monday ahead of a potential tropical storm this week near the Texas-Mexico border.
On Monday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center released its first forecast cone for a storm that could become Tropical Storm Alberto. According to KXAN First Warning Weather Chief Meteorologist Nick Bannin, Potential Tropical Cyclone No. 1 is expected to make landfall in Mexico Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
The release states the National Weather Service predicted “threats of heavy rainfall and flooding” beginning Tuesday evening in South Texas and the Coastal Bend toward southeast Texas.
In Central Texas, heavy rounds of rain and storms are possible over the next few days with the heaviest coming on Wednesday.
The Texas Department of Emergency Management activated multiple teams to help with emergency response, the release said.
Below is a list of Texas teams set up to respond to tropical weather emergencies:
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2): Urban Search & Rescue Teams and Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads
- Texas National Guard: Ground Transportation Platoons with high profile vehicles, helicopters with hoist capability
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Warden search and rescue boat teams
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Tactical Marine Unit boats and rescue swimmers, search and rescue aircraft with hoist capability
- Texas Department of Transportation: High profile vehicles and personnel monitoring road conditions
- Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Severe Weather Packages
Additional teams from the Texas A&M Forest Service, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are ready to help, if needed, the release said.