Texas Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed a disaster proclamation for several counties affected by heavy rainfall and flooding that began on July 2, 2025. The original proclamation was issued on July 4, 2025, and has since been updated through subsequent proclamations due to ongoing severe weather conditions.
Governor Abbott stated: “WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on July 4, 2025, as amended and renewed in a number of subsequent proclamations, certifying that the heavy rainfall and flooding event that began on July 2, 2025, that included heavy rainfall and flash flooding, caused widespread and severe property damage, injury, or loss of life in several counties;”
The current amendment extends the disaster declaration to Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Edwards, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Maverick, McCulloch, Menard, Real, Reeves, San Saba, Schleicher, Sutton, Tom Green, Travis, Uvalde and Williamson counties.
Under Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code cited by Abbott in his statement: “Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.”
Abbott also noted suspension of certain regulatory statutes if they could hinder emergency response efforts: “Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code 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. Any statutes that might prevent the transfer of bodies to families as soon as possible are hereby suspended including Sections 264.514 and 264.515 of the Texas Family Code and Articles 49.04 49.05 49.10 and 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Further to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency’s emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster.”
The proclamation requires copies to be filed with appropriate authorities as mandated by law.
The official document was signed by Governor Greg Abbott on November 18 in Austin with attestation from Secretary of State Jane Nelson.
A copy of Governor Abbott’s full proclamation can be viewed online.
