AUSTIN (October 29, 2009)—Gov. Rick Perry activated state search and rescue personnel and resources Thursday in response to the threat of flooding from heavy rain that as falling in some parts of Texas.

“Storms stretching across the state have created dangerous flash flood conditions that can form quickly, and I urge Texans in communities impacted by these storms to be cautious and pay attention to changing weather conditions,” Perry said.

The great threat of flooding is east of Interstate 45 and south of Interstate 30 and severe storms are possible east of Interstate 35.

In order to be ready to respond should flooding occur, 72 state military personnel were ordered to standby in Austin, Beaumont, Houston, Longview, Lufkin and San Antonio.

High-profile military vehicles were sent to Longview, Lufkin, Beaumont and Houston.

Two Texas National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and two members of Texas Task Force 1 were ordered to stand by in Austin and two more helicopters and two more TTF-1 members were stationed in San Antonio.

Six Texas Task Force 1 swift-water rescue teams were put on standby.

The State Operations Center has been fully activated.

Along the Interstate 35 corridor, a flash flood watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday and a tornado watch is in effect until 6 p.m.

McLennan, Bell, Navarro and Hill Counties have been dropped from the tornado and flood watch area, but the watches remain in effect for Limestone, Freestone, Leon, Robertson and Milam Counties.

Showers and thunderstorms are predicted Thursday afternoon and evening, and a chance of more rain remains in the forecast Friday morning.