Several emergency declarations have already been issued as a massive winter storm barrels toward more than 35 states, putting more than 200 million people in its path and threatening “considerable disruption” to New York with up to a foot of snow.

State officials are taking action as Texas prepares for dangerously cold temperatures and winter precipitation.

Texas Gov. Abbott activates state resources ahead freezing temperatures, snow, ice and freezing rain impacting the state. Here's what to know.

Governor Greg Abbott announced that he directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of potential winter weather impacts expected across the state beginning Thursday.

Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the TDEM to activate state emergency response resources ahead of potential winter weather impacts expected across the state beginning Thursday.

UPDATE, 1/21/2026, 10:00 a.m.: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has activated state emergency response resources ahead of expected winter weather this weekend. As of Wednesday morning, the latest forecasts call for up to 65 consecutive hours of below-freezing temperatures, stretching across Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday.

It has been almost five years since the grid nearly failed due to frigid temperatures, snow and ice, which led to a spike in electricity demand in February 2021.