Texas Governor issues disaster declaration in response to drought conditions
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a State Disaster Declaration due drought conditions across the state. These drought conditions pose an imminent threat to public health, property, and the economy.
Drought conditions can lead to an increased threat of wildfire. According to the Office of Governor Greg Abbott, Abbott has authorized the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to address the situation.
"I want to assure the citizens of Texas that we will do all we can to respond to this threat and ensure their safety and the protection of their property," said Governor Abbott. "I encourage those in these counties to heed the warnings of local officials and do all they can to stay out of harm's way. Texas is no stranger to wildfires, and will be prepared to respond as needed."
The disaster declaration will suspend any regulation or law that would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in responding to this disaster. The declaration also suspends any law that would impede a state agency’s emergency response deemed necessary to protect life or property.
Counties included in the disaster declaration are:
Armstrong, Andrews, Archer, Bastrop, Baylor, Bell, Bosque, Briscoe, Burnet, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Coryell, Cottle, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Erath, Falls, Floyd, Foard, Gaines, Garza, Gray, Hall, Hamilton, Hansford, Hardeman, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Hill, Hutchinson, Johnson, Kent, King, Knox, Lee, Limestone, Lipscomb, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, McLennan, Milam, Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Robertson, Shackelford, Sherman, Somervell, Stephens, Stonewall, Swisher, Throckmorton, Travis, Wheeler, Wilbarger, Williamson, Winkler, Yoakum, and Young.