Press Release
AUSTIN –
    As severe weather including tornadoes, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and flooding continue across areas of Texas, Governor Greg Abbott today declared a state of disaster in Archer, Bastrop, Caldwell, Cass, Collin, Dewitt, Fannin, Grayson, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Houston, Kendall, Jasper, Johnson, Newton, Nueces, Parker, San Jacinto, Walker, Wichita and Wilson counties, authorizing further mobilization of state resources to assist impacted communities. Additional counties may be added to the declaration as the situation develops.
    “The State of Texas has taken brisk action in dispatching all available resources to aid those affected by this severe weather system, and I strongly urge all Texans to exercise every possible precaution to ensure their safety and the safety of their families and neighbors,” said Governor Abbott. “My thoughts and prayers are with all the communities that are suffering as a result of this weather disaster, and I am grateful for the first responders who have worked tirelessly to provide shelter, care and resources to all impacted areas.”
    Governor Abbott declared a state of disaster in Bosque, Clay, Denton, Eastland, Gaines, Montague and Van Zandt counties on May 11th, 2015 and added Cooke, Grimes, Hood, Navarro, Smith and Wise counties on May 15th, 2015. The Governor’s declaration follows an elevated activation of the Texas State Operations Center (SOC) to enable rapid deployment of state resources announced on Friday, May 4th.
    Current forecasts indicate the continuation of possible severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding, river flooding and tornadoes across the state throughout the week. At this time, any additional rainfall will exacerbate already saturated grounds, which could quickly lead to dangerous flash flooding and extended river flooding. The SOC – in coordination with the Texas Emergency Management Council – remains at an elevated activation level and is continuing to monitor weather conditions and coordinate with the National Weather Service.
    Texans are encouraged to follow these safety tips during this weather event:
    •    When severe storms threaten, the safest place to be is indoors.
    •    Avoid areas already flooded and avoid any fast-flowing water.
    •    Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and observe road barricades placed for your protection.
    •    Remember that dangerous waters can seem deceptively calm, and if you encounter flooding, move to higher ground.
    •    Monitor weather radios and news broadcasts for updated information on current and anticipated severe weather in your area.
    •    Keep in mind that flood dangers are even harder to recognize at night.
·         Be mindful that rising and moving water can also threaten people on foot and individuals near recreational waterways impacted by significant rainfall.
    •    Monitor weather radios and news broadcasts for updated information on current and anticipated severe weather in your area.
    •    Stay informed and heed warnings by local officials.
 
    For additional safety tips related to tornadoes, thunderstorms and flooding, see: http://dps.texas.gov/dem/ThreatAwareness/weather_aware_severe.htm
     The American Red Cross has established the following website for individuals in impacted areas: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php
     The following resources are involved in the state’s continued response to this weather event:
     Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): Assisting with reconnaissance, search and rescue efforts, and providing personnel and resources as needed.
     Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD): Conducting search and rescue missions during flash flooding/water incidents in affected areas.
     Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): DSHS have mobilized resources, equipment and personnel to provide medical assistance as needed.
    Texas Military Forces (TMF): TMF has deployed aircraft and high-profile vehicles, and continues providing assistance with search and rescue missions as needed.
     Texas Task Force 1 (TTF1): Air and boat rescue squads have been deployed for search and rescue missions as needed.
     Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): Continues to monitor dams and river levels in the affected areas.
     Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): Crews have deployed resources to address flooding conditions and debris cleanup impacting roadways.
     Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC): Personnel continue to work with utility companies to resolve power/utility issues.
     Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA): Assisting communities to apply for funds administered by TDA that will help with storm cleanup and rebuilding.
     Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD): Organizations continue to provide shelter and other mass care needs as requested.
    Additional partners and resources include: Texas A&M Forest Service; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; Civil Air Patrol; Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Texas General Land Office; Texas Health and Human Services Commission; Texas Department of Insurance; Railroad Commission of Texas; Texas Education Agency; Department of Aging and Disability Services; Department of Family and Protective Services; Texas Workforce Commission; Texas Animal Health Commission; Texas 2-1-1; and Texas Department of Information Resources.

Tornado Kills Ten in Mexican Border City of Ciudad Acuña

BY MARK STEVENSON 

MEXICO CITY (AP) -

A tornado raged through the northern Mexico border city of Ciudad Acuna early Monday, killing at least 10 people, destroying homes and upending cars and other vehicles.

Rosario Cano, spokeswoman for the interior department of the northern state of Coahuila said 10 people had been confirmed killed so far in the twister, which struck around 6:40 a.m. Central time.

Photos from the scene showed cars with their hoods ripped off, resting upended against the facades of one-story houses.

One car's frame was literally bent around the gate of a house.

A bus was seen flipped and crumpled on a roadway.

Ciudad Acuna is a city of about 100,000 across the border from Del Rio, Texas.

Cano said top state officials had set out to review the damage and coordinate response to the disaster.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) —
    There is a chance for severe weather including heavy rainfall during the Memorial Day weekend that seems likely to cause flash flooding in parts of Texas, Arkansas and the southern Plains, the National Weather Service said Friday.
    Meteorologist John Hart at the weather service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, said the risk Friday is mostly confined to southwestern Texas and eastern New Mexico, where hail, thunderstorms and even a tornado could be possible overnight.
    Hart warned of flash flooding during the holiday weekend in North Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, which are still soaked from recent storms.
    A forecaster in Norman said about 0.6 more inches of rain in May will break Oklahoma City's record for the wettest month ever recorded.
    Weather service forecaster Matt Stalley in Fort Worth, Texas, said people camping or on the waterways should take extra care.
    "There's quite a bit of danger now with the current situation. There's a lot of river and lake closures because of all the debris that's in the water that gets picked up by these floodwaters. There's additional threats for flash flooding for people that are out camping," Stalley said.
    Stalley said the area west of the Interstate 35 corridor is expected to receive the heaviest rainfall amounts.
    "We're looking at storms that will produce heavy rain starting to increase in coverage on Saturday afternoon and evening. And that'll last through a good portion of Sunday as well," Stalley said.
    Tabitha Clarke with the weather service in Little Rock said the heaviest rain in Arkansas is expected Saturday afternoon and night.
    "That's the worrisome part - when people are already settled into their camping or whatever they are doing," Clarke said. "Rainfall amounts will likely not be as impressive as other events we've had, but because we are already saturated, that's why the flooding will occur, and when the rainfall gets here, it will likely be very intense in a short amount of time."
    The area of most concern is along the Red River in southwestern Arkansas, where 3 to 5 inches of rain is expected.
    Stalley, in Texas, encouraged anyone with plans to be outdoors during the weekend to have a way to get weather information, such as a weather radio.
    "A lot of people overlook flooding as a weather threat, and it's actually the No. 1 leader in weather-related fatalities. So, it certainly can't be taken lightly."

Belton, Texas –

    The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor spring Commencement was held on Saturday, May 9, in Crusader Stadium. This was the university’s 158th graduating class. 493 students were awarded degrees. Of those, 341 students received baccalaureate degrees, 136 received master’s degrees, and 16 earned doctoral degrees.
    Student awards given during the ceremony included the Provost Medal for highest overall GPA, which was split between 13 students who each graduated with perfect 4.0 grade point averages: Kelsey Belcher of Belton, Joshua Bradshaw of Pipe Creek, Erin Buerschinger of Copperas Cove, Alannah Domangue of Liberty, Chandler Hansen of San Antonio, Caitlin Hyer of Brazoria, Anastasia Lowe of Houston, Drew Roicki of San Antonio, Jennifer Sellers of Salado, Elizabeth Stefanski of Katy, Kyle White of Lake Jackson, Sarah Whitson of Burleson, and Xiaoge Xiu of Belton.
    O’Rear expressed confidence that the students in front of him had the skills and morals to make an impact.
    “When I look at you, I see 500 opportunities to make the world a better place,” O’Rear said. “I see individuals who know how to lead, who know how to serve, and who know how their faith can help shape and inform the decisions that they make.” The following is a student graduating from Eagle Pass- Arnulfo Cardenas III - B.A. - Business Administration.