Greg Abbott Issues Solar Eclipse Warning for Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that severe storms were expected to hit the Lone Star State Monday afternoon, when hundreds of thousands of people would be gathered to witness a spectacular total solar eclipse not expected again in the U.S. for decades.

On April 7, the Republican governor wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he had directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management "to mobilize emergency response resources ahead of severe storms expected tomorrow" and had increased the readiness level of the State Emergency Operation Center to Level II, "Escalated Response."

He also urged Texans and solar eclipse visitors "to heed guidance from officials and monitor weather conditions."

Millions of people across the country are expected to watch the historic event Monday afternoon, the second such event to be visible in the U.S. in seven years and one that isn't scheduled to repeat itself in the lower 48 states until at least 2044.

The solar eclipse's path of totality—about 9,200 miles long and 115 miles wide—is expected to extend from Texas to Maine, while the rest of the country may be able to see only partial phases of the event. In Texas, major cities—such as San Antonio, Austin and Waco—are located along the path of totality.

If you're among the eclipse chasers, remember that it is not safe to look at the eclipse directly. So make sure you're using the appropriate glasses. However, whether you can see the awe-inspiring moment when the moon crosses the sun and blocks its light may also depend in part on the weather conditions of your location.

The Fort Worth/Dallas branch of the National Weather Service reported chances of severe thunderstorms returning after the eclipse. "There may only be a short window (2-3 hrs) between the eclipse and strong to severe storms," the agency wrote on its website. "Make your safety plan NOW and have multiple ways to receive warnings!"

On X, NWS Fort Worth/Dallas urged Texans with their eyes peeled on the eclipse to remember that "the severe weather threat will increase after the eclipse, late Mon afternoon into Mon night." Large hail, damaging winds and "even a few tornadoes" could hit the state, the agency said.

The Austin/San Antonio branch of the NWS wrote on X that "isolated severe storms could develop between 3-9PM across the eastern Hill Country and near/northeast of Austin metro," with isolated severe storms also possible "anywhere across south-central Texas early Tuesday morning."

Central Texas is also expected to have cloud coverage.

Read more: Emergency Funds: How to Build One and Where to Keep It

In a press release issued Sunday, Abbott wrote, "Texas is ready to respond with all available resources needed to assist local communities as severe weather, including severe thunderstorms and large hail, begins to impact the state tomorrow."