Governor Greg Abbott, accompanied by a host of state and local officials, addressed the ongoing response to severe weather and flooding in East Texas during a briefing in Conroe on May 6, 2024.
During the press conference, Governor Abbott highlighted the resilience of Texans in the face of adversity, stating, "even in a heart-wrenching event like the catastrophic storms and floods we have witnessed in East Texas, we have also seen the resiliency of Texans who are willing to lend a helping hand to protect their fellow Texans."
Governor Abbott said the priority of the state is protecting lives in severe weather events, noting that 232 different agencies, including state, local, and federal entities, have responded to the storms. He urged caution to residents in affected regions, advising against risky behaviors such as driving through high waters, "it is not worth it to risk your life to drive through high waters. Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown."
The Governor expressed his gratitude for the first responders and emergency management personnel who have been working to ensure the safety of Texans.
Abbott encouraged impacted individuals to report their damage using the TDEM's Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) and pledged continued support to communities in need of assistance in the aftermath of the storms.
Residents in East Texas were urged to complete TDEM's iSTAT self-reporting damage survey to aid in the assessment of damages and determine eligibility for disaster assistance. The survey, available in English and Spanish, can be accessed at damage.tdem.texas.gov.
Texans were reminded to stay informed through local forecasts, develop emergency plans, and adhere to instructions from emergency response officials. The state urged Texans to that driving or walking through flooded roads is dangerous, and motorists should not attempt to pass barricaded areas to ensure safety.
Governor Abbott reaffirmed the state's commitment to providing resources to support local communities in mitigating the impacts of severe weather, including preparedness measures ahead of wildfire and severe weather threats, disaster declarations for affected counties, and heightened readiness at the State Emergency Operations Center.
