In light of the severe weather impacting the Lone Star State during the past several days, National Automotive Finance Association executive director Jack Tracey offered an update on the organization’s Non-Prime Auto Financing Conference, which begins on Wednesday afternoon in Plano, Texas. 

Tracey indicated in an email message on Monday morning that weather conditions will not affect the opening of the NAF Association's conference.

“The severe weather conditions experienced in Texas over the last several days have primarily been focused in areas south of Dallas, particularly in Houston and Austin,” Tracey said.

“While some rain is expected in the Dallas area in the next few days, we will proceed as planned,” he continued.

However, the recent storms are forcing the NAF Association to make a change to its golf tournament that was set to begin on Wednesday morning the Tribute Golf Club in The Colony, Texas.

“The golf event has been affected due to course conditions, and we are trying to relocate it to another course,” Tracey said.

According to a report from Reuters, storms with torrential rain killed seven people in Texas and Oklahoma, leaving thousands of people without power and damaging scores of homes and businesses. Portions of Houston and Austin were hit by as much as 7 inches of rain.

Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in 24 Texas counties on Monday.

Abbott’s office also mentioned current forecasts indicate the continuation of possible severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding, river flooding and tornadoes across the state throughout the week.

The Texas State Operations Center — in coordination with the Texas Emergency Management Council — remains at an elevated activation level and is continuing to monitor weather conditions and coordinate with the National Weather Service.

“The state of Texas has taken brisk action in dispatching all available resources to aid those affected by this severe weather system, and I strongly urge all Texans to exercise every possible precaution to ensure their safety and the safety of their families and neighbors,” Abbott said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all the communities that are suffering as a result of this weather disaster, and I am grateful for the first responders who have worked tirelessly to provide shelter, care and resources to all impacted areas,” he went on to say.