Texas winter storm: Gov. Abbott issues disaster declaration for 134 counties

AUSTIN, Texas - Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties as a "severe" winter storm prepares to sweep across the state, bringing life-threatening temperatures and hazardous precipitation beginning Friday and lasting through the weekend.

The governor urged Texans to finalize emergency preparations immediately, warning that the window for action will close by Friday evening. The declaration allows the state to deploy resources "quicker, faster, and better" to the hardest-hit areas, primarily the top two-thirds of the state from San Antonio to the Panhandle.

"Job number one is always protecting lives," Abbott said during a press briefing. "You’re going to have the ability within your own hands to be able to save your own lives."

What is a Disaster Declaration?

A disaster declaration is a formal move by the Governor or local leaders that activates emergency management plans. It facilitates access to state and federal assistance—including funding, personnel, and equipment—and allows the state to pre-position assets like the National Guard before the storm hits.

Grid Stability and Power Concerns

What they're saying:

Addressing lingering public anxiety following the deadly 2021 winter storm, Abbott offered a firm guarantee of stability, noting that the state has added over 40,000 MW of power to the grid since then.

"The ERCOT grid has never been stronger," Abbott said. "There is no expectation whatsoever that there’s going to be any loss of power from the power grid."

Thomas Gleeson, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, echoed this confidence, citing "historic investments" in weatherization. In North Texas, local utility Oncor has performed vegetation management on an additional 8,000 miles of lines and replaced nearly 20,000 distribution poles to prevent ice-related failures.

ERCOT CEO Pablo Vargas added that more than 30 power plants now have on-site fuel storage to bypass potential gas supply interruptions. While demand is expected to peak in the low 80,000 MW range, the grid has over 90,000 MW of available capacity. However, officials warned that localized outages remain possible if ice weighs down neighborhood power lines or trees.

"We anticipate that the greatest position to perform extremely well during these winter weather conditions because of the historic investments made, in large part because of legislation passed by the Texas Legislature since 2021 and a bill signed into law by Governor Abbott. Historic investments are made by both generating facility owners and transmission distribution facility owners. The grid will perform well during this event," Gleeson said.

Travel and Rescue Operations

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is moving into peak operations with 5,000 personnel and hundreds of vehicles. Mark Williams of TxDOT warned that while crews are pre-treating roads with brine, it is not a "prohibitive measure" against ice.

"Do not be on the road unless you have to be on the road," Abbott said, specifically warning drivers to "Don’t crowd the plow." To assist those who do become stranded, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard have deployed high-profile vehicles for rescues and welfare checks.

Statewide Warming Centers

Chief Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is coordinating the opening of more than 280 warming centers across the state. Kidd urged residents to remember the "Four Ps": protect People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.

He also issued a stern warning regarding home heating safety, pleading with Texans not to run generators or gas-operated appliances indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Regional Forecasts & Impact

North Texas: A Winter Storm Watch is in effect through Sunday. DFW could endure nearly 100 hours of sub-freezing temperatures. A transition from rain to a wintry mix is expected Friday evening, ending as snow Saturday night.

Central Texas: The Arctic air arrives late Friday, with temperatures remaining below freezing from Saturday afternoon through Monday morning. Wind chills are expected to drop into the single digits by Sunday.

Houston: A Winter Storm Watch is in effect starting Saturday morning. Total ice accumulations between 1/10th and 3/10th of an inch are possible as rain changes over to freezing rain and sleet.

"We’re going to make it through this process," Abbott concluded. "The goal is to make it through with no life lost."