Texas Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed the state’s drought disaster proclamation for January 2026. The original proclamation was issued on July 8, 2022, and has since been amended and renewed multiple times.
According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the same drought conditions continue to affect several counties across Texas. These ongoing conditions have also increased the risk of wildfires in those areas.
In response, Governor Abbott declared a disaster in numerous counties including 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,Kinnney,Kleberg,L a 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.
Governor Abbott stated: “WHEREAS I,GREG ABBOTT,Gov ernor 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 [listed counties].”
He further authorized “the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.” Additionally,”any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent,hinder or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor.”
The proclamation allows for temporary suspension of statutes or rules related to contracting or procurement if they would impede emergency response efforts necessary to protect life or property during this declared disaster.
Copies of this proclamation will be filed with relevant authorities as required by law.
