State Capitol Highlights

First Gulf storm of season elbows Texas
AUSTIN — State emergency responders geared up for the first time this hurricane season in response to Tropical Storm Cindy, which came ashore just east of the Texas-Louisiana border on June 22.
Two deaths were attributed to the storm — one of them an elderly man found in a sand-mired pickup truck on Texas’ Bolivar Peninsula.
The storm dropped most of its rainfall east of its center — up to 18 inches in some places far to the east — and much less in Texas. But as a precaution two days before landfall, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered an increase in readiness from level four, normal conditions, to level three, increased readiness. 
Four Texas Task Force 1 boat squads were activated, along with two Texas Military Department vehicle squads. Also, the Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Task Force, the Texas Military Forces Aircraft and shelter and feeding teams were placed on standby.
Abbott noted that weather conditions related to tropical storms can change rapidly without warning, causing catastrophic flooding. “That is why I am imploring all Texans in the Gulf region to stay updated and heed warnings from your local officials, avoid high water areas and refrain from attempting to drive through roadways or over bridges that have the potential to flood.”

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