AUSTIN, Texas (Feb. 17, 2021) – At the request of Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Guard men and women stand ready to assist our fellow citizens, working alongside our local, state, and federal partners to keep Texans safe during extreme winter weather. More than 300 service members are currently mobilizing in the Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas/Fort Worth areas to help man warming stations to support those without power and water.
Additionally, there are more than 100 service members assisting the Texas Department of Public Safety in the Austin, Waco, Amarillo, Abilene, Wichita Falls, Tyler, and Dallas/Fort Worth areas. These teams include personnel and equipment that have the capacity to handle hazardous road conditions, provide recovery of stranded motorists, and transport personnel to safety.
The Texas Military Department is currently standing up an air operation center that will move personnel and equipment once the weather permits and the Texas National Guard Civil Support Team is mobilized in San Angelo supporting local authorities to help fix water issues in the area.
In addition to winter weather response, more than 2,000 Texas Guardsmen remain mobilized in support of COVID-19 operations which include mobile vaccination teams focused on helping those living in underserved communities.
“I can assure you, that the Texas Military Department stands ready and able to support Governor Abbott, collaborating with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, to support the citizens of Texas,” said Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, the adjutant general of Texas. “These are our communities too – we will always be ready to help and we will stay as long as necessary to help serve those in need.”