Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
As severe flooding continues to affect central and western regions of Texas, the State of Texas has expanded its emergency response, while private partners, such as AT&T, step in to provide vital communication resources. The joint effort aims to support displaced residents and first responders, particularly in areas like Kerr County that have been severely impacted.
Governor Greg Abbott, speaking from the State Operations Center in Austin, confirmed that the state’s emergency management system has escalated to a Level II (Escalated Response). “Texas continues our 24/7 operations to search for anybody who was affected by these deadly storms,” Abbott said. More than 1,500 personnel and over 925 vehicles and equipment assets have been deployed, with 20 or more state agencies actively engaged in the ongoing effort.
The Governor expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for swiftly approving a Major Disaster Declaration. “I want to thank President Trump for his swift approval of the Major Disaster Declaration,” Abbott said during the press briefing. He also acknowledged U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for visiting Kerr County to receive firsthand updates and ensure continued federal support. “The federal government is providing every necessary resource to assist in response and recovery.”
One key partner in the recovery effort is AT&T, which has deployed a 40-foot Mobile Connectivity Center (MCC) to the Hill Country. “AT&T is on the ground in the Hill Country,” the company announced. “We have deployed our Mobile Connectivity Center (MCC) to support the Kerrville community.” Located at Schreiner University (2100 Memorial Blvd, Kerrville), the MCC is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT, starting July 6. It offers free Wi-Fi, access to 16 computers, and phone charging stations—resources that are particularly critical for residents with limited power or cell service.
AT&T has also delivered charging supplies to the Texas Division of Emergency Management for distribution to the public. According to the company, “AT&T provided essential supplies—charging cables, power blocks, and surge protectors—to emergency officials for distribution to residents in need.” The initiative is part of a bigger deployment that includes FirstNet® teams responding to requests from public safety agencies on the ground.
Governor Abbott continues to encourage Texans to remain cautious and prepared. “Heavy rainfall could lead to potential flash flooding,” he warned. Residents are urged to heed local official guidance and monitor road conditions via DriveTexas.org. He also asked those with flood-related damages to self-report through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) at damage.tdem.texas.gov. “These details are vital to help officials identify impacted areas and connect Texans with resources,” he said.
To date, the state has taken the following key actions:
• Secured federal disaster assistance through a Major Disaster Declaration
• Amended the state’s disaster declaration to include additional counties
• Elevated the State Operations Center to Level II readiness
• Activated additional emergency response resources in preparation for continued severe weather
• Deployed personnel and equipment across the most severely affected areas
Residents can access flood-related resources and safety information through the Texas Disaster Portal at disaster.texas.gov. As Governor Abbott reiterated, “Texans are encouraged to follow instructions from local officials and stay weather aware.”
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