Governor Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration In Response To Drought Conditions in 25 Counties
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, certified on July 21, 2020, that exceptional drought conditions posed a threat of imminent disaster in Andrews, Bailey, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Floyd, Gaines, Gray, Hale, Hansford, Hartley, Hutchinson, Lamb, Motley, Oldham, Ochiltree, Parmer, Randall, Roberts, Swisher, Terry, Wheeler, and Yoakum counties, I hereby certify that exceptional drought conditions continue to pose a threat of imminent disaster in Andrews, Briscoe, Castro, Deaf Smith, Floyd, Gaines, Gray, Hale, Lamb, Motley, Parmer, Randall, Roberts, Swisher, Terry, Wheeler, and Yoakum counties, and that the conditions also now threaten Brewster, Collingsworth, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Hall, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Loving, Maverick, Presidio, Reeves, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zavala counties.
WHEREAS, significantly low rainfall and prolonged dry conditions continue to increase the threat of wildfire across these portions of the state; and
WHEREAS, these drought conditions pose an imminent threat to public health, property, and the economy;
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 in Andrews, Brewster, Briscoe, Castro, Collingsworth, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Deaf Smith, Floyd, Gaines, Gray, Hale, Hall, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Lamb, Loving, Maverick, Motley, Parmer, Presidio, Randall, Reeves, Roberts, Swisher, Terry, Uvalde, Val Verde, Wheeler, Yoakum, and Zavala counties based on the existence of such threat.
Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the 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.
Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the 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. However, 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.
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 ofAustin, Texas, this the 20th day of August, 2020.
Governor Greg Abbott