(Austin, TX)  —  By order of Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas State Operations Center will increase its readiness level this morning.

As a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico moves toward the South Texas coast, the Center will go from level 3 (increased readiness) to level 2 (escalated response conditions) at 7 a.m.  To help local officials with their response efforts, Abbott is making state resources available, including the DPS, TxDOT, the state Attorney General’s office, and other agencies.

The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are also standing by to help.