Abbott Mobilizes Resources Ahead of Texas Flooding
Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to pre-position additional state response resources as rain and flooding loom this weekend.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Forecasts
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Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to mobilize additional state emergency response resources in anticipation of rain and flooding expected to impact Texas this weekend. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are anticipated in South and West Texas beginning later tonight and lasting through early next week.
Why it matters
The primary threat is heavy rainfall that could produce flash flooding, with flash flood risk highlighted in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Border, and Coastal Bend regions. Early staging of rescue teams and equipment is intended to support local officials once conditions develop.
The state has placed multiple rescue units on standby, including swiftwater and floodwater rescue boat squads and helicopters with hoist capability. The stub does not provide rainfall totals or flood-depth projections, and the precise impact zones within the flagged regions remain unspecified.
The players
Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott is the Governor of Texas, who directed the state's emergency management division to mobilize additional response resources ahead of the expected flooding.
Texas Division of Emergency Management
The Texas Division of Emergency Management is the state agency responsible for coordinating disaster preparedness and response across Texas.
Texas A&M Task Force 1
Texas A&M Task Force 1 is a state-supported urban search and rescue team operated through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
The details
Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Task Force 3 Swiftwater and Floodwater Rescue Boat Squads are among the resources being staged, alongside Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens and rescue boat teams. The Texas Department of Public Safety is contributing Highway Patrol Troopers, hoist-capable helicopters, and its Tactical Marine Unit, while the Department of State Health Services is providing Severe Weather Support Packages with medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles.
Timeline
Later tonight (November 6, 2026): Thunderstorms expected to begin in South and West Texas.
This weekend (November 7-8, 2026): Rain and flooding expected to impact the state.
Early next week (November 9-10, 2026): Thunderstorms anticipated to continue before tapering.
Seasonal Patterns
Pre-staging swiftwater rescue squads under the Texas Division of Emergency Management's all-hazards framework follows the state's established practice for forecast flood events in South and West Texas. The stub does not provide historical rainfall averages for the region, so this sentence does not characterize how the current forecast compares to past seasons.
Residents in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Border, and Coastal Bend regions should monitor flash flood guidance and avoid driving across flooded roadways. Texans can review emergency preparedness guidance from the state before storms arrive.
The takeaway
Flash flooding poses its greatest danger in low-lying areas and on roadways that can be quickly overtaken by water. Preparing an emergency kit and identifying higher ground in advance can reduce risk before conditions worsen.
What happens next
Thunderstorms are expected to continue into early next week, with rain and flooding projected to impact the state this weekend.
Further reading
Track the latest conditions in the Forecasts section for updates on the Texas flood threat.
More information
Review TDEM all-hazards preparedness information for guidance on getting ready before the storms arrive.
Live Poll
Have you made an emergency plan and packed a supply kit for this weekend's flooding?
