Houston Daily

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed the state's drought disaster proclamation for several counties as of November 18, 2025. The original disaster proclamation was issued on July 8, 2022, and has since been updated multiple times due to ongoing exceptional drought conditions.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management confirmed that these drought conditions continue in certain counties, contributing to an increased risk of wildfires. In response, Governor Abbott declared a disaster in over fifty counties across the state.

In his official 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, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Childress, Clay, Collingsworth, Colorado... (list continues) ...and Zapata Counties."

Governor Abbott authorized "the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster." He also stated: "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...necessary action...shall be suspended upon written approval... However...I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster."

The governor's office will file copies of this proclamation with relevant authorities as required by law.

A full list of affected counties is included within the governor’s official announcement.