AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday issued a disaster declaration for 101 Texas counties as severe storms continued to bring heavy rainfall, flash flooding, damaging winds, large hail and the threat of tornadoes across the state.
The declaration allows local governments and communities in affected areas to access state resources and emergency assistance. State officials said additional counties could be added if conditions worsen.
In a statement, Abbott said Texas is prepared to respond to ongoing severe weather threats.
“Because of the impact caused by ongoing storms and flood risks, I have issued a disaster declaration for 101 Texas counties to ensure that local officials and communities have access to the full range of state resources and support,” Abbott said.
The governor urged residents to follow guidance from state and local officials and take precautions to remain safe during severe weather.
The declaration includes several counties in Southeast Texas, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers, Liberty, Waller, Austin, Colorado, Wharton, Matagorda, Walker, San Jacinto, Polk, Trinity, Grimes, Washington and Brazos counties.
Earlier Monday, Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate additional emergency response resources and begin 24-hour operations at the Texas State Emergency Operations Center. The governor had previously ordered the activation of state resources last week in anticipation of flooding risks.
State officials advised Texans to monitor weather forecasts, maintain emergency supplies and avoid driving through flooded roadways.
Emergency preparedness information is available through TexasReady.gov, while road conditions can be monitored through DriveTexas.org.
The disaster declaration covers 101 counties across Texas, including Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, Comal, Coryell, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, Falls, Fayette, Fort Bend, Freestone, Frio, Galveston, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kenedy, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Live Oak, Llano, Madison, Mason, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Real, Refugio, Robertson, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, San Saba, Starr, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Zapata and Zavala counties.
