Order of the Travis County Judge Regarding July 2026 Severe Weather and Flash Flooding Disaster
County Judge Order 2026-2; Related to July 2026 Declaration of Disaster Regarding Severe Weather and Flash Flooding – Termination of Waterway Ban on Lake Travis
Recitals
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster proclamation declaring a state of disaster in several Texas counties including Travis County based on the heavy rainfall and flash flooding posing an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life, and further authorized the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster; and
WHEREAS, Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued a Declaration of Disaster on July 14, 2026, pursuant to his authority under Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Section 418.108 (otherwise referred to as the "July 2026 Severe Weather and Flash Flooding Disaster"); and
WHEREAS, on July 21, 2026, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to continue the Declaration of Disaster; and
WHEREAS, the Travis County Judge issued an order banning certain recreational use of the waterways on the Pedernales River and in Lake Travis at and between Mile Markers 27 to 37 on the lake affected by the dangerous conditions; and
WHEREAS, after consulting with emergency management personnel on the present hazards within the waterways on the Pedernales River and Lake Travis, the County Judge finds that while disaster recovery efforts continue, conditions in the Pedernales River and Lake Travis no longer necessitate restriction of recreational use of the areas in the Pedernales River and Lake Travis identified in the County Judge's Order, and issues the following order terminating County Judge Order 2026-01 issued July 18, 2026.
Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed and Ordered by the County Judge of Travis County, Texas That:
- The findings and recitations set out in the preamble to this Order are found to be true and correct and hereby adopted by the County Judge and made a part hereof for all purposes.
- This Order shall continue all provisions of the Declaration of Disaster issued by the County Judge on July 14, 2026, and ordered continued by the Travis County Commissioners Court on July 21, 2026.
- County Judge Order 2026-01 placing restrictions on recreational use of the waterways on the Pedernales River and in Lake Travis at and between Mile Markers 27 to 37 is HEREBY TERMINATED, and there are no current use restrictions on these waterways necessitated by the disaster.
- Pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this Order by the County Judge shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.
- This Order shall take effect immediately upon its issuance.