State emergency response resources are active across North Texas as a multi-day storm threat brings the risk of severe flash flooding. Governor Greg Abbott urged residents to prepare ahead of heavy rains expected from late Wednesday through Thursday, prompting sandbag shortages in Fort Worth and city preparations in Arlington and Dallas.
Emergency Resources Positioned as State Prepares for Flash Flooding
After more than three months of little to no measurable rain, North Texans are facing a sudden pivot from severe drought to a potentially dangerous flooding event. State officials warned that widespread heavy rain is expected to move across much of Texas starting late Wednesday through Thursday, bringing a serious threat of flash flooding to portions of North Texas, Central Texas, and the Interstate 35 corridor.
Governor Greg Abbott urged residents to take precautions immediately ahead of the incoming weather.
“Our task is straightforward.”
Gov. Greg Abbott, via Nbcdfw
Abbott said.
We want to save lives,
the governor added.
In response to the forecast, Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate additional emergency response resources ahead of the storm. State authorities positioned more than 1,900 emergency responders and over 1,500 pieces of equipment across Texas. The deployed assets include personnel from the Texas National Guard, swiftwater rescue boat teams, and high-water rescue vehicles supplied by Texas A&M Task Force 1.
“Please take whatever action you can to prepare yourself, your family, your home for the heavy rain that may come.”
Gov. Greg Abbott, via Nbcdfw
Climatologists Warn Hardened Drought Soil Will Generate Runoff
Forecasters warn that certain locations could record several inches of rainfall, with isolated areas receiving significantly higher totals if repeated rounds of storms develop. While the moisture will offer a much-needed break from dry conditions, dry and hardened ground can struggle to absorb large volumes of water falling in a short period.
William Baule, assistant state climatologist at Texas A&M University, explained that the amount and intensity of rainfall will determine how much water the ground can absorb.
“If that rainfall outstrips the ability of the soil to soak it up, you’re going to get runoff.”
William Baule, assistant state climatologist at Texas A&M University, via Nbcdfw
Baule advised residents to monitor surroundings closely, particularly near vulnerable terrain.
“Given that we haven’t seen rain in a while, and this could be a whole lot of it, you may see flooding in some of those areas. So it’s good to be aware.”
William Baule, assistant state climatologist at Texas A&M University, via Nbcdfw
Fort Worth Sandbag Distribution Exhausts Supplies Amid Unprecedented Demand
Local municipalities scrambled to prep infrastructure on Wednesday as residents rushed to secure property against rising water. In Fort Worth, the city offered free sandbags distributed across two locations in the north and south ends of Tarrant County. Demand overwhelmed municipal crews, who exhausted their entire supply by 9:30 a.m. as lines of vehicles stretched up to half a mile long.
“This is unprecedented.”
Juan Cadena, Operations Officer for Storm Water Operations for the City of Fort Worth, via Nbcdfw
said Juan Cadena, Operations Officer for Storm Water Operations for the City of Fort Worth.
Although crews attempted to fill more bags, stocks ran completely dry, forcing the city to halt free distribution and direct residents to municipal social media channels for future updates.
For residents like Juanita Mendoza, who waited over an hour for sandbags, the morning brought intense anxiety.
“We have a basement. We are one of the very few houses here in Fort Worth with a basement. I think back in the day it was used as like a garage.”
Juanita Mendoza, Fort Worth resident, via Nbcdfw
Mendoza said.
Mendoza secured bags just as supplies vanished.
Arlington and Dallas Municipal Crews Clear Drains and Stage Barricades
Neighboring cities also enacted emergency protocols ahead of the rainfall. Public works crews in Arlington spent Wednesday clearing accumulated debris from storm drains, culverts, and low-lying areas to facilitate water drainage. Crews also positioned high-water barricades near known trouble spots and increased reserves of sandbags.
In Dallas, city leaders urged community members to remain vigilant by enrolling in the DALLASALERT emergency notification system by texting DALLAS to 67283. Municipal authorities noted that specific neighborhoods—including Northwest Dallas, old East Dallas, downtown, and the Turtle Creek area—have historically faced flooding concerns during intense rain events.