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The Blast: Babysitter Dan presides over Beryl [1]
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Date: 2024-07
Kids, Gov. Greg Abbott is off to East Asia on a trade mission. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is in charge.
Like any good babysitter, Patrick wants everyone to be safe and responsible. Today, shortly after stepping up as acting governor, Patrick jumped out in front of Beryl to give the public ample warning about the former hurricane.
“One of our concerns is that we’re in the middle of a July Fourth holiday weekend,” Patrick said. “Not as many people are home watching the news or paying attention to the news or [they’re] having fun at the beach or just in their backyard and enjoying their families.”
Beryl hit the Caribbean as a Category 5 storm on Monday, the earliest in Atlantic history. Although the National Weather Service downgraded it to a tropical storm this afternoon, the cyclone is expected to bring a significant amount of rain to Texas.
If you know friends or family who are at the beach, Patrick said suggested texting or calling them to spread the word. Potentially deadly rip currents could be starting already, and driving on Monday could be dangerous on the coast and inland, with flooding almost guaranteed.
However, the Texas Division of Emergency Management won’t know its trajectory until it’s back on the open water. This afternoon, Patrick issued a disaster declaration that includes 40 counties as of now.
Patrick won’t captain the state alone. He’s got the big kid — TDEM Chief Nim Kidd — to tell him how things work around the house. Patrick has also been with Abbott during past storms.
Like a big brother, Kidd is playing it cool.
“A lot of people are out having fun right now, and that’s a good thing, and we want them to continue to do that. But we also want them to prepare,” Kidd said. “We need a prepared community, not a panicked community.”
“Don’t let it ruin your plans, but be ready for whenever the storm comes ashore,” he added.
It’s not the first time Abbott has been out of state while Texas deals with a tropical cyclone. In September 2019, Tropical Storm Imelda dumped buckets on Southeast Texas, with some areas receiving nearly 45 inches of rain. Less than a week later, Abbott was in Japan on a trip that hit both that country and South Korea.
Abbott announced this summer’s trip this morning. He’ll lead the economic development mission to Taiwan first, followed by stops in South Korea and Japan. He’ll return on July 13, a week from tomorrow.
Abbott’s Day 1 schedule takes him to Taiwan and includes a meeting with Taiwan President Lai Ching-Te, signing an agreement with Taiwan Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo and an announcement on strengthening economic ties.
State Sens. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, have joined Abbott for the Taiwan portion. Republican state Reps. Angie Chen Button of Richardson, Giovanni Capriglione of Southlake and Jacey Jetton of Richmond will also be there, as well as two dozen government and business officials.
Abbott sent the following dispatch from across the globe:
“I remain in daily contact with Acting Governor Patrick, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and other state officials to ensure Texas swiftly deploys all resources needed to help Texans as heavy rainfall, flooding conditions, and strong tropical wind are expected to impact multiple regions of the state.”
But until Abbott and the gang get back, Patrick says people should stay up to date at “T, D as in Dan — T, D, E, M dot Texas dot gov.”
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