EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Over 20 El Paso employees with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are heading to Houston to aid with winter preparations on Interstate 10, the department said on Saturday, Jan. 18. TxDOT El Paso crew heading to Houston to assist in winter prep. Photo courtesy to TxDOT's Omar M. The El Paso team is made up of 24 employees, 10 dump trucks, four pickup trucks, two transports with 10 plows and two mechanic road trucks, TxDOT said. TxDOT said the team will help with winter preparations and responses on I-10 and where needed. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced on Jan. 18 that they will begin mobilizing state emergency responses ahead of the winter weather starting Sunday, Jan. 19 and lasting through midweek. According to the National Weather Service, a powerful winter storm is expected to bring snow and icy conditions to portions of South, Central, and Southeast Texas. Freezing rain could also pose problems along the southern half of the state, especially near the coast. Freezing and below-freezing temperatures are expected across large areas of the state. TDEM will be increasing the readiness level to Level II (Escalated Response) on Monday morning and request state help from local officials so that communities have the resources to respond to winter weather impacts. "TDEM and our state agency partners are prepared for upcoming winter weather impacts and Texans are urged to take personal preparedness measures ahead of time," Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said. "I urge all Texans to stay informed, take proactive measures to protect their families, and follow guidance from local authorities as this winter weather event approaches." The following agencies will be assisting in providing winter prep and other resources: Texas Department of Transportation: Winter weather roadway equipment and crews pre-treating and treating roadways; personnel and equipment to assist with traffic control and road closures Texas Division of Emergency Management: Incident Management Teams; personnel working with local partners to update warming center maps Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service: Public Works Response Teams Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews; motor graders and personnel to assist with snow/ice clearance Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Winter Weather Packages including medics and ambulances Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Personnel to provide information on available services through the 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network; Coordinating with long-term care providers across the threat area Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster assessment and recovery agents Texas Animal Health Commission: Coordinating animal resource needs Texas Department of Agriculture: Coordinating agricultural resource needs Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordinating with utility providers across the threat area Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers to patrol Texas roadways Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Game Wardens to support local law enforcement; high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists Texas National Guard: High-profile vehicles and personnel to support stranded motorists Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring technology infrastructure Texas Education Agency: Monitoring school district needs across the state Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Texas VOAD): Coordinating volunteer organizations across the state To find more information on winter weather resources, safety tips and current road conditions, you can visit the Texas Disaster Portal's website.