Governor Greg Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration In Response To Approaching Tropical Disturbance

Weatherguidance, the City’s weather monitoring service, has issued a flood watch effective Friday through Saturday as a tropical weather system in the Gulf of Mexico is forecast to bring rain to South-Central Texas.

Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration this morning, Friday, September 14, in preparation for the tropical weather system forming in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hays, Comal, Blanco and Travis counties were included in list of communities, who were in danger of potential flooding, property damage and potential loss of life. The National Weather Service has identified a 20 percent chance of a cyclone forming off the Texas Coast.

Weatherguidance, the City’s weather monitoring service, has issued a flood watch effective Friday through Saturday as a tropical weather system in the Gulf of Mexico is forecast to bring rain to South-Central Texas.

I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, do hereby certify that the tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that began on September 7, 2018, and that continues toward the Texas coast, poses a threat of imminent disaster, including severe flooding, widespread and severe property damage, and loss of life in Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, Comal, DeWitt, Dimmitt, Duval, Edwards, Fayette, Fort Bend, Frio, Galveston, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kenedy, Kerr, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Lavaca, Lee, Liberty, Live Oak, Llano, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Montgomery, Nueces, Polk, Real, Refugio, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Trinity, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Zapata, and Zavala counties.

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 the previously listed 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.

GREG ABBOTT
Governor

Expected impacts:

• Shower and scattered thunderstorm activity is expected to increase again locally from Friday afternoon into Saturday morning
• Locally heavy downpours of rain will be possible at times with heavier showers and any scattered thunderstorms
• Total rainfall is expected to average 1-2 inches for most of the area with localized amounts of 2-3 inches possible in some spots
• Due to recent heavy rains, any concentrated areas and/or repeat occurrences of heavy downpours could result in mostly minor flooding of some low lying and poor drainage areas

For more information regarding the flood watch issued for San Marcos throughout today and tomorrow, go here.