AUSTIN — Today Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced that the Texas General Land Office is monitoring storm conditions and activated several storm readiness procedures in anticipation of Hurricane Beryl. Hurricane Beryl is currently projected to hit South Texas near the border with Mexico and then the storm's path is projected to travel northward. The National Hurricane Center anticipates issuing storm surge and hurricane watches later today for portions of northeast Mexico and lower-middle Texas. Heavy rain could cause flooding. Texans should monitor weather advisories and avoid driving or walking in flooded areas. 

"The GLO's disaster response teams are preparing to help Texas respond to the damage Hurricane Beryl brings to our shores," said Commissioner Buckingham. "The GLO’s Coastal Protection, Disaster Recovery and Mitigation, Oil Spill Prevention and Response, and Storm Team staff are continuing to monitor potential impacts to the Texas Coast. The Texas General Land Office has elevated the readiness of all divisions to assist Texas communities in the storm’s path and provide information on resources available to assist. I urge all Texans to take the appropriate precautions to keep your family and neighbors safe including remaining alert to local weather predictions and heeding warnings from local officials."

The GLO has activated readiness and response procedures across all divisions of the agency:

• The GLO’s Oil Spill Prevention and Response team has been coordinating with local disaster districts and is preparing to deploy resources in affected coastal communities.
• The GLO’s Natural Disaster Operational Workgroup (NDOW) team members have been placed on standby and are preparing for activation.
• The GLO’s geospatial team is analyzing potential storm impact and providing predictive analysis for possible equipment deployment.
• GLO Storm Team is embedded at the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s State Operations Center.
• The GLO’s Disaster Recovery and Mitigation team is engaged with federal counterparts regarding potential disaster housing operations.
• The GLO’s Coastal Protection division is preparing to conduct damage assessments along beaches in the impact area to characterize erosion/accretion, debris documentation, damage to structures, accessibility, utilities, environmental damage, and emergency needs.
• The GLO’s Debris Removal Unit is preparing and revising its debris removal strategy for potential implementation as needed.
• The GLO’s Veterans Land Board is initiating preparedness measures for Texas State Veterans Homes and Cemeteries. Decisions about evacuation and closures will be communicated to residents and families should they be initiated.

The GLO has prepositioned contracts in place in anticipation of potential disaster recovery needs. The agency is coordinating with local officials in the storm’s path as well as state and federal partners to ensure all preparedness and response measures are in place prior to landfall.