TRAVIS COUNTY DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER DUE TO HEAVY RAINFALL, FLASH FLOODING, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Recitals
WHEREAS, Travis County is experiencing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and weather conditions posing a threat of imminent disaster, which poses an imminent threat to persons and property within Travis County; and
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2026, pursuant to §418.014 of the Texas Government Code, 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 that pose an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life; and
WHEREAS, the County Judge of Travis County has determined from information provided by emergency management personnel that the above conditions pose an imminent threat of severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property due to the threat of flash flooding and heavy rainfall in Travis County; and
WHEREAS, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Section 418.108 authorizes the County Judge of a county to declare a local state of disaster and exercise the powers granted therein on an appropriate local scale; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 418.108(f) and 418.185 of the Texas Government Code, the County Judge is authorized to order the evacuation of all or part of an area stricken or threatened by a disaster within the County if necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response, or recovery and may compel persons who remain in the evacuated area to leave and authorize the use of reasonable force to remove persons from the area; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 418.108(g) of the Texas Government Code, a County Judge is authorized to control ingress and egress from a local disaster area and control the movement of persons and the occupancy of premises in that disaster area; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code, the Governor, through his Disaster Proclamation, has 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, the County Judge finds that circumstances present in Travis County create a public safety hazard.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS THAT:
- A local state of disaster is hereby declared for Travis County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code due to heavy rainfall and flash flooding, which pose an imminent and substantial danger to the residents and property within Travis County.
- Residents are further advised not to travel unless necessary because of unsafe road and travel conditions and to continue monitoring the weather.
- Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven (7) days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Travis County, Texas.
- Pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the appropriate recovery and rehabilitation aspects of the Travis County Emergency Management Plan and authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance under this Declaration and Order.
- Pursuant to the authority granted under the laws of the State of Texas and the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 (Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code), the County may take actions necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of persons in the County in response to this local state of disaster, including providing disaster relief, facilitating access to food, water, and shelter, and protecting and rehabilitating property affected by this disaster.
- Pursuant to Section 418.173 of the Texas Government Code, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates any directive legally authorized and issued by this Declaration commits an offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.00 or confinement for a term not to exceed 180 days.
- Pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this Declaration of a local state of disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.
- This Declaration and Proclamation shall take effect immediately upon its issuance.