Governor Abbott Renews Border Security Disaster Declaration In September 2021
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on May 31, 2021, certifying under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code that the surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border posed an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster for a number of Texas counties and for all state agencies affected by this disaster; and
WHEREAS, I amended the aforementioned proclamation on June 25, 2021, including to modify the list of affected counties and therefore declare a state of disaster for Brewster, Brooks, Crockett, Culberson, DeWitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zapata counties, and for all state agencies affected by this disaster; and
WHEREAS, on June 30, 2021, I renewed that disaster proclamation, as amended, and also declared a state of disaster for Colorado, Crane, Galveston, Kenedy, Mason, Medina, and Throckmorton counties based on the same certified conditions; and
WHEREAS, on July 15, 2021, I amended the proclamation issued on June 30, 2021, to modify the list of affected counties to also declare a state of disaster for Bee, Jackson, Schleicher, Sutton, Webb, and Zavala counties based on the same certified conditions; and
WHEREAS, on July 30, 2021, I renewed the disaster proclamation, as amended and renewed, and also declared a state of disaster for Menard County based on the same certified conditions; and
WHEREAS, on August 29, 2021, I renewed the disaster proclamation, as amended and renewed, and also declared a state of disaster for Wharton County based on the same certified conditions; and
WHEREAS, the certified conditions continue to exist and pose an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster as set forth in the prior proclamations; and
WHEREAS, communications with county officials have confirmed that the certified conditions now also pose an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster in McCulloch, Refugio, Victoria, and Wilbarger counties;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby declare a state of disaster for McCulloch, Refugio, Victoria, and Wilbarger counties, and I do hereby renew the disaster proclamation, as amended and renewed, for Bee, Brewster, Brooks, Colorado, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, DeWitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Hudspeth, Jackson, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Mason, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Schleicher, Sutton, Terrell, Throckmorton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Wharton, Zapata, and Zavala counties, and for all state agencies affected by this disaster. All orders, directions, suspensions, and authorizations provided in the Proclamation of May 31, 2021, as amended and renewed on June 25, June 30, July 15, July 30, and August 29, 2021, are in full force and effect.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 28th day of September, 2021.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
ATTESTED BY:
JOE A. ESPARZA
Deputy Secretary of State