Gov. Abbott provided updates on Texas’s response to severe winter weather, with key leaders updating on freezing temperatures and potential power impacts.
AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference Thursday morning in Austin as state officials continue responding to severe winter weather impacting Texas.
Abbott was joined by several agency leaders, including Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Freeman Martin, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Executive Director Marc Williams, Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Pablo Vegas, and Public Utility Commission Chair Thomas Gleeson.
Abbott and the officials provided updates on the state’s response to freezing temperatures, wintry precipitation, and potential power impacts across Texas.
“Bottom line is that because a storm is coming in, because we know it’s coming in, we have the ability for our fellow Texans to begin preparing now,” Abbott said during the briefing.
He said it will be dangerous to drive on frozen roadways over the weekend, particularly in places with slick ice. People are encouraged to stay off the roads if possible.
Abbott also commented on the state’s power grid: “The ERCOT grid has never been stronger, never been more prepared,” he said. “It is fully capable of handling this winter storm.”
If power outages happen, Abbott said this will likely because of ice weighing down individual lines.
TxDOT executive director Williams said the department has been working to make the roads as safe as possible. He said there are about 5,000 personnel and hundreds of vehicles and equipment ready to assist statewide.
“Roads will be dangerous, so staying off roads is always the safest option,” Williams said.
More than 280 warming shelters have also been assigned across Texas in preparation for the storm.