Texas winter storm: Gov. Abbott issues disaster declaration ahead of storm

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties as a severe winter storm threatens the state with life-threatening cold and ice starting Friday evening. State officials guarantee the Texas power grid is stable and prepared for record demand, though localized outages remain possible due to ice and falling tree branches. Travelers are urged to stay off the roads to allow emergency crews and TxDOT plows to work; warming centers are opening statewide for those who lose heat.