Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has put state resources and agencies on alert ahead of the severe storms projected to slam Houston Thursday afternoon, according to a Thursday news release. The news came after the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for most of southeast Texas including Houston and Harris County,

Read more Gov. Greg Abbott activated the state emergency response via the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) as a severe weather threat begins for the eastern half of Texas, a news release from Abbott’s office said.

Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to get state resources ready as strong storms moved through the state on Thursday.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the Houston metro area as a severe storm system is rolling through Texas.

At least five tornadoes were confirmed around Houston and three reports of tornadoes were filed in Louisiana, FOX Weather said. There were no immediate reports of injuries there. The threats had shifted over Louisiana and Mississippi by midday on Friday.

At least seven reported tornadoes were confirmed in Texas and Louisiana and more severe weather is expected in the South. CBS News' Kati Weis reports from Houston, and CBS News Bay Area meteorologist Jessica Burch has the latest weather forecast.