HOTCOG Homeland Security Division

04/26/2024

Hill County established the Hill County Office of Emergency Management as a mechanism to emphasize teamwork between fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services, faith-based organizations, and volunteers from across the community. These stakeholders regularly participate in training and...

05/07/2022

So true!

05/06/2022

University High School First Responders Day!!!

05/06/2022

We are at University High School for First Responders Day! We got to see some of our students from our CERT class last semester!

05/04/2022

Thanks to all!

Today is International Firefighters Day, and we want to give a huge “thanks” to those who serve our community as firefighters! Thank you!!!!

https://www.thereisadayforthat.com/holidays/various/international-firefighters-day

05/04/2022

Greetings, Central Texas! Below is the forecast from the National Weather Service for today and Thursday. As always, we will post updates if and when we get them. Don't forget you can sign up for weather alerts at www.hotready.com!

Bottom Line
The threat for severe weather returns today and tomorrow. The threat should remain mostly along and west of I-35 this afternoon with large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes possible. The remainder of the area will then see a severe weather threat Thursday. Large hail and damaging winds are expected to be the main threats, but isolated flooding and tornadoes are possible.

Overview
•Wednesday and Wednesday night
o A cluster of thunderstorms is expected to develop over the
west/northwestern parts of the forecast area this afternoon as
early as around 2-3 PM.
o Large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes will be possible.
o These storms will likely transition into a line of storms over
Oklahoma that may brush some of our Red River counties
overnight. Damaging winds and flooding will be the main
threats with this activity.
o An additional line of storms will then develop over Western
North Texas late tonight, early Thursday morning along the
cold front. These storms will move into the forecast area the
couple hours before dawn and move east. Damaging winds
and heavy rainfall will be the primary threats.
•Thursday
o The line of storms will move across North Texas Thursday
morning. Gusty winds and brief heavy rain are the main
threats early in the day.
o Additional redevelopment of strong to severe storms is
expected Thursday afternoon in Central and East Texas.
o Damaging winds and heavy rainfall will remain the main
hazards, but large hail is also possible.
o Heavy rainfall may result in isolated flooding.

What We Are Certain Of:
•Thunderstorms developing this afternoon over the western & northwestern parts of the forecast area. A few storms will likely be severe with large hail, damaging, and tornadoes possible.
•Additional storms with widespread rainfall are then expected to develop along a cold front late Wednesday night into Thursday morning with thunderstorms continuing into Thursday across Central and East Texas.
•Additional storms, especially east of I-35, are likely to be severe Thursday with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain expected to be the main threats.

What We Are Less Certain Of:
•How far south and east the storms will develop this afternoon and if they will remain outside the Metroplex.
•The degree to which any storms will be severe across Central Texas Thursday afternoon.

05/03/2022

Good Morning, Central Texas! Below is the forecast from the National Weather Service for today thru Thursday. As always, we will post updates if and when we get them. Don't forget, you can sign up for weather alerts at www.hotready.com!

Bottom Line
There will be a renewed threat for severe weather Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. Large hail and damaging winds are the main threats, but isolated tornadoes are also possible.

Overview
•Wednesday and Wednesday night
o Some elevated storms are possible across western North Texas
Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning, but severe weather is
not expected with this early activity.
o Additional thunderstorms are expected to develop in the early
afternoon across the western parts of the forecast area near
and ahead of a dryline.
o Large hail and damaging winds will be the main threat with this
activity, but isolated tornadoes are also possible.
o This activity will likely transition into a line of storms along an
approaching cold front late Wednesday night. Strong winds will
be the main threat, with heavy rainfall also possible.
•Thursday
o The line of storms will move across North Texas Thursday
morning.
o Damaging winds will remain the main hazard.
o Additional redevelopment of strong to severe storms will be
possible near a cold front Thursday afternoon in Central and
East Texas.
o Heavy rainfall may result in isolated instances of flooding.

What We Are Certain Of:
•Thunderstorms that develop along the dryline Wednesday afternoon will likely be severe with at least a large hail and damaging wind threat.
•Additional storms with widespread rainfall are expected along another cold front Wednesday night into Thursday.
•Some storms across North Texas, especially east of I-35, are likely to be severe Thursday with large hail and damaging winds.

What We Are Less Certain Of:
•How far south and east the storms will move Wednesday afternoon. We’re more confident of storms developing across the northwestern parts of the forecast area, but not sure how far south and east they will travel before weakening.
•How far south and east into Central Texas the storms will progress Thursday, and how widespread they will be.
•The degree to which any storms will be severe across Central Texas Thursday afternoon.

05/02/2022

Good Morning, Central Texas! Below is the forecast from the National Weather Service for Monday thru Thursday. As always, we will post updates if and when we get them! Don’t forget, you can sign up for weather alerts at www.hotready.com!

Bottom Line
There will be a few opportunities for severe weather today through Thursday.

Overview

Today
*Some showers and thunderstorms may redevelop near the I-35 corridor this morning, but severe weather is not expected.
*There will be a very low chance a storm or two will develop near a dryline across our western counties this afternoon.
*The atmosphere across North Texas will be very unstable. If a storm is able to develop, large hail and damaging winds would be the main threats.

Tonight
*Storms will develop along a cold front in Oklahoma tonight.
*This activity will move south into North Texas late tonight into early Tuesday morning.
*The complex of storms should be on a weakening trend, but a damaging wind threat may materialize north of I-20 if storms remain organized as they cross the Red River.

Wednesday/Thursday
*Some storms are possible across mainly North Texas during the day Wednesday, but severe weather is not expected with this early activity.
*Additional storms are expected to develop along a dryline west of the area on Wednesday afternoon.
*This activity will likely transition into a line of storms along an approaching cold front Wednesday night.
*The line of storms will move across the area into Thursday morning.
*Damaging winds will be the main hazard.
*Additional redevelopment of strong to severe storms will be possible near the cold front Thursday afternoon in Central and East Texas.
*Heavy rainfall may result in isolated instances of flooding.

What We Are Certain Of:
*If thunderstorms develop along the dryline this afternoon, they will be severe with a large hail and damaging wind threat.
*Storms will develop along a cold front in Oklahoma tonight. As they move into North Texas, damaging winds will be the main threat if they remain strong to severe.
*Additional storms are expected along another cold front Thursday.

What We Are Less Certain Of:
*If thunderstorms develop along the dryline this afternoon.
*How strong the storms will be tonight. They will weaken as they approach North Texas.
*How quickly the cold front will move through the area Wednesday night into Thursday.
*If storms will redevelop Thursday along the cold front.

05/01/2022

Happy Sunday, Central Texas! Below is the forecast from the National Weather Service for today and tomorrow. We will post updates if and when we get them. Don’t forget you can sign up for weather alerts at www.hotready.com!

Bottom Line
There is a threat for severe weather today and Monday across parts of North Texas.

Overview

This Afternoon
*A warm front draped across Central TX this morning will spread north through the day.
*Isolated severe thunderstorms may develop along this front this afternoon anywhere from Graham to Stephenville to near Waco. The highest threat is southwest of the Metroplex.
*Very large hail (2”+ in diameter) would be the main threat.

Tonight
*Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across West Texas this afternoon and will slowly spread east. *Additional thunderstorms will develop across parts of Northwest Texas prior to midnight.
*These storms will spread northeast overnight into Southern Oklahoma.
*Some severe wind gusts or hail to 1” in diameter will be possible across parts of North Texas through the overnight hours (see graphic below).

Monday
*The remnants of the overnight storms may still be ongoing across our northeast counties.
*This activity is expected to be below severe limits.
*A dryline will be located across our western counties by afternoon.
*The atmosphere across North Texas will be very unstable by afternoon with little capping.
*Thunderstorms may develop along the dryline by late afternoon.
*Large hail and damaging winds would be the main threats.

What We Are Certain Of:
*A warm front will spread north today with North and Central Texas becoming unstable by this afternoon.
*Thunderstorms will develop across West Texas and approach North Texas tonight.
*If thunderstorms develop this afternoon, they will be severe with a large hail threat.
*If thunderstorms develop along the dryline Monday, they will be severe with a large hail and damaging wind threat.

What We Are Less Certain Of:
*If thunderstorms develop this afternoon in our area along the front.
*How strong the storms will be tonight. They will weaken as they approach North Texas.
*If storms develop along the dryline on Monday.

04/24/2022

Happy Sunday, Central Texas! Below is the forecast from the National Weather Service for today and tomorrow. We will post updates if and when they we get them. Don’t forgot you can sign up for weather alerts at www.hotready.com!

Bottom Line
There is a potential for locally heavy rainfall, isolated flooding, and marginally severe storms late today through Monday.

Overview

Today and Tonight

*A cold front will slowly move into the region today from the northwest.
*Showers and thunderstorms will become widespread along and behind the front by late afternoon, continuing through the overnight hours.
*Locally heavy rainfall is expected with some of the storms, mainly north of I-20 and closer to the Red River.
*Isolated rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are possible north of I-20 through daybreak Monday, which could lead to localized flooding. Again, the main threat would be in those counties closer to the Red River.
*Some storms along the front over western North Texas may become marginally severe late this afternoon and this evening. Large hail and damaging winds would be the main threats.

Monday
*Numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue Monday, mainly across Central Texas. Rain will be ending from north to south across North Texas during the morning hours.
*Some of the storms may produce some locally heavy rainfall Monday morning, mainly east of I-35. Isolated flooding concerns are possible due to these storms.
*Severe weather is not expected Monday. However, a few storms may become strong, producing gusty winds and small hail.

What We Are Certain Of:
*Widespread showers and thunderstorms will develop across North and Central Texas from this afternoon through Monday.
*Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected, with isolated totals of 2-4 inches possible closer to the Red River. Some isolated flooding will likely occur in association with these heavier pockets of rain.
*Widespread, significant severe weather is not expected. The overall threat for severe weather is lower than that associated with events earlier this month.
*Sunday afternoon/evening outdoor activities may be impacted by scattered showers and storms in the area.

What We Are Less Certain Of:
*Exactly how much rainfall will occur, and where the heaviest totals will occur.
*The potential for marginally severe thunderstorms late this afternoon and this evening.

04/15/2022

Happy Good Friday, Central Texas!!! Below is a forecast from the National Weather Service for Saturday and Easter Sunday. We will post updates if and when we get them! Don’t forget you can sign up for weather alerts at www.hotready.com, and have a Happy Easter!!!

Bottom Line
There is a potential for strong and/or marginally severe storms over the Easter Holiday Weekend. This will be the only email for this event; unless conditions significantly change.

Overview
● Saturday
○ A cold front will move into the region bringing cooler temperatures to part of the region.
○ Some storms could occur over our far northeastern counties Saturday morning but strong/severe storms are not expected with this activity.
○ The cap is expected to largely keep storms from forming later in the day.
○ IF the cap can break, isolated to scattered strong/severe storms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds could develop in the afternoon and evening hours, with the best potential for storm development across Central Texas.

● Sunday (Easter)
○ Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms could occur across much of the region, along with wind gusts up to 35 mph behind the front which is expected to be stalled across the region.
○ Sunday morning outdoor activities may be impacted by isolated to scattered showers and storms in the area.
○ Ahead of the front, strong or marginally severe storms may develop in the afternoon and evening hours with the best potential likely east of the I-35 corridor.
○ Hail and damaging winds would be the main threats, along with lightning.

What We Are Certain Of:
● While it is not expected to rain or storm all weekend, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms across the region.
● Rain chances are higher on Sunday than Saturday, especially over the eastern half of the region.
● An outbreak of severe weather is not expected either day; the threat for severe weather is lower than our more recent events.
● The tornado threat is very low over the weekend; hail and strong/damaging winds would be the main threats.
● Sunday morning outdoor activities may be impacted by isolated to scattered showers and storms in the area.

What We Are Less Certain Of:
● If the cap will break on Saturday allowing strong/severe storms to develop.
● Where the front will be located, especially on Sunday, which could alter the location of the potential for strong/severe storms.
● The coverage extent of storms.

04/13/2022

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FORT WORTH HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
ROBERTSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL TEXAS... NORTHEASTERN MILAM COUNTY IN CENTRAL TEXAS... SOUTHEASTERN LIMESTONE COUNTY IN CENTRAL TEXAS... SOUTHEASTERN FALLS COUNTY IN CENTRAL TEXAS...
* UNTIL 945 PM CDT.
* AT 841 PM CDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR ROSEBUD. ANOTHER SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR FRANKLIN. BOTH STORMS ARE MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.
HAZARD...GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL AND 65 MPH WIND GUSTS. SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED.
IMPACT...PEOPLE AND ANIMALS OUTDOORS WILL BE INJURED. EXPECT HAIL DAMAGE TO ROOFS, SIDING, WINDOWS, AND VEHICLES. EXPECT
WIND DAMAGE TO ROOFS, SIDING, AND TREES.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
CAMERON, HEARNE, FRANKLIN, ROSEBUD, CALVERT, BREMOND AND LOTT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL

TEXAS.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION GET INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS