Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed the drought disaster proclamation for August 2025, continuing a declaration first issued on July 8, 2022. The action comes after confirmation from the Texas Division of Emergency Management that exceptional drought conditions persist in several counties across the state.

The renewed proclamation covers numerous counties, including Aransas, Atascosa, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brewster, Burnet, Cameron, Clay, Collingsworth, Comanche, Culberson, Donley, Edwards, El Paso, Foard, Frio, Gillespie, Grayson, Hall, Hamilton, Hardeman, Hays, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Kleberg, Live Oak, Lubbock, Matagorda,

McMullen,

Medina,

Midland,

Nueces,

Pecos,

Presidio,

Real,

San Patricio,

Terrell,

Travis,

Uvalde,

Val Verde,

Victoria,

Wharton,

Willacy,

Wilson and Zapata Counties.

In his official statement Governor Abbott said: "WHEREAS I,GREG ABBOTT,Govenor 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; 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" for these listed counties.

The order authorizes all available resources from state government and political subdivisions to be used as necessary to address the ongoing drought. In addition,"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." The governor further authorized suspension of statutes and rules related to contracting or procurement if they impede emergency response needed to protect life or property during this declared disaster.

The proclamation was signed by Governor Abbott and attested by Secretary of State Jane Nelson at Austin on August 20th.

For more information about current drought conditions in Texas and how they are being addressed by local authorities see https://www.tdem.texas.gov/.