Texas Governor Greg Abbott has renewed and amended the state’s drought disaster proclamation, extending emergency measures in response to ongoing drought conditions across multiple counties. The original proclamation was issued on July 8, 2022, and has since been updated several times as the situation has persisted.
According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, drought conditions continue in certain areas of Texas and have contributed to an increased risk of wildfires.
In a statement, Governor Abbott said: “WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on July 8, 2022, as amended and renewed in a number of subsequent proclamations, certifying that exceptional drought conditions posed a threat of imminent disaster in several counties; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that those same drought conditions persist in certain counties in Texas and that the presence of drought conditions in certain counties contributes to increased wildfire danger;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby amend and renew the aforementioned proclamation and declare a disaster in Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Brewster, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Childress, Clay, Collingsworth, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Culberson, DeWitt, Dimmit, Donley, Duval, Fayette, Foard, Frio,Gillespie,Goliad,Gonzales,
Grayson,
Guadalupe,
Hall,
Hardeman,
Hays,
Hidalgo,
Jackson,
Jim Hogg,
Jim Wells,
Karnes,
Kenedy,
Kendall,
Kerr,
Kinney,
Kleberg,
La Salle,
Lavaca,
Lee,
Live Oak,
Llano,
Lubbock,
Matagorda,
Maverick,
McMullen,
Medina,Nueces,Pecos
Presidio
Real
Refugio
San Patricio
Starr
Terrell
Travis
Uvalde
Val Verde
Victoria
Washington
Webb
Wharton
Willacy
Williamson
Wilson
Zapata and Zavala Counties.”
The order allows for all available state government resources and those from political subdivisions to be used as needed to address the disaster. It also suspends any regulatory statutes or agency rules that could delay necessary action during this period. Statutes or rules related to contracting or procurement may also be suspended if they impede emergency response efforts required to protect life or property.
Governor Abbott concluded: “IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF,I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin ,Texas,this the 17th day of January ,2026.”
Secretary of State Jane Nelson attested to the proclamation.
Further details can be found by viewing the Governor’s proclamation.
