STORM WATCH: Gov. Greg Abbott talks storm prep as Francine strengthens into a hurricane

monitoring right now. the ongoing tropical storm that is expected to strengthen. Francine likely to become. a hurricane later this afternoon. or this evening. And is also expected to make landfall. in Louisiana. in just about 24 hours, A live look there at our computer x-ray. You can see just the amount of rain is bringing to all of the gulf, uh, States including Texas. We're also hearing right now from governor of Texas, Greg Abbott detailing, some of the storm surge flooding concerns, in that region. Let's listen in to this amongst other officials on live now, Also, in the past. On our behalf to receive cdb. disaster Recovery money. Uh but mitigation assistance, but I need. And so as a result our drainage systems are much better off today than they were when we had the RV. Our, uh, feed wall is being improved. and advocating with our federal. counterparts for under under the water resources. development and and so, um, you know, I can't say enough good. about the partnership that we've had. and the assistance of y'all have provided uh, and the communications that that State. from 1 to deeply appreciative, also, want to say that. uh, During Barrow and during other. storms, where we've had power outages, energy, Texas has, uh, Brought to bear on the resources, necessary for quick recovery and we did we have not experienced the types of episodes that Houston experienced during the Barrow. Delays. Because of Inadequate Resources across there. Good to hear. Judge. How well, Same thing, uh, you know, a judge Branch always does a really good job of covering all the details and before I get to. So uh but I same thing I just appreciate you coming. I appreciate what the state does, you know? I wasn't here as long as he has been, I've only been in this position for 5 years and so I've I've kind of catching some of the last recent changes that tedam has done but I know it's a lot easier. and a lot more efficient and effective for us to get stuff from 1 location. We make 1 phone call. and then we get a lot of the resources that I think we used to have to chase down to get it. uh having uh, you know, a speaker feeling as well. Senator Nichols. These folks we can call and talk to they always answer the phone. I know sometimes they probably like I too, but they do. it. It's a, uh, we have a, a, a huge. uh, amount of resources that we have to our availability. uh, my Emergency Management coordinator Joel Lord Lane. does a fantastic job. We all coordinate together. all the counties coordinate together. in this region because it affects all of us. and even if it doesn't hit us direct, we want to help our neighbors and we all do that. And so, it's, it's just important that we that we're able to do that now. And then we're able to kind of keep that on track. and then our neighbors in Louisiana. We want to you know, we wish them the best and our prayers are with them. But, uh, we are prepared in Orange County We're prepared. If something if this thing does make a change and we know we're that we're ready to go. Uh energy again to everybody's point, they have done a really good job in the past as with making sure we have quick recovery and we have very little power loss. And if we do it's recovered for everybody. So we appreciate that. Uh, our other agencies with tech stock from Tech stock parking lot life. All the different things go. Everybody coming in to help It's been a very good effort to it and then when we have events like this, We have this, that takes place. and people get to know that we are prepared and we're ready to go and taste. This thing turns. so but thank you. Okay, good, good job. there. Well, Governor, uh, welcome to Bone, my Texas. where uh, Sometimes you're going to have you here. Wish it was under different circumstances but we're grateful for the state we're grateful for all the state resources that are here and uh have been so helpful. and certainly uh, the city of Bulma. We want to remind all our residents to be vigilant and pay attention to this storm. It's still uh, has a long ways to go and we want to make sure that we keep all our residents safe. I know our our emergency Operation Center. has stood up ready to go. We're we're well prepared. so are all our uh, departments within the city. And we'll certainly respond and meet the needs of all our residents. but we do want to make sure we keep them Well, informed but And really appreciate. the local and state Partnerships that we have. Thank you. Chief. Thank you. Governor and I want to thank the elected officials here at this table. That is great communicating with them and knowing that you're on on the front line, taking care of your citizens as well. Uh, Governor you mentioned 24 state agencies focused on this Mission that's over. 1100 men and women traveling from outside of the area. to support our state agency employees that are already here Supporting our local partners and local governments, please hire, an EMS Center here I just want to take a second to thank those 1100 men and women that are spending time away from their families away from their homes to be here to support. Texas and time of need. we've been in contact with our counterparts in Louisiana. we are ready to offer assistance to them if needed But I need you, the media to help us get this message out. this the public should not be lulled into a false sense of security that there will be no impacts to Southeast Texas. We need to be ready. if there are impacts you can see we have state agencies ready to support. but nothing will protect the family more than a protected family, taking care of themselves. So please have a family communication plan. take care and have a talk to your friends and family. Uh today this afternoon. and make sure you have the resources that you need. Very good.