Texas declares disaster for 101 counties

Governor Greg Abbott’s June 15 disaster declaration for 101 counties did two things at once: it responded to an immediate weather threat and widened access to state emergency support. Abbott said severe storms beginning June 14 brought heavy rain, flash flooding, hazardous wind gusts, hail and tornado threats across a broad stretch of Texas. The declaration covered counties from Harris and Travis to Cameron and Kerr, and Abbott said more could be added if conditions worsened. Houston officials moved on a separate but related track this week. On July 8, Houston City Council approved a $45 million home-repair program for residents still dealing with damage from Hurricane Beryl and the May 2024 derecho, according to Houston Public Media. City officials said the program is aimed at owner-occupied homes but will not cover all storm losses across the city. (gov.texas.gov) The state’s next step is more planning. Houston Public Media reported that Texas lawmakers passed a senate bill requiring emergency plans in flood-prone counties after the July 2025 Hill Country floods, while the Texas General Land Office is seeking public input on an updated statewide hazard mitigation plan covering floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. (houstonpublicmedia.org) ### What did Abbott’s declaration actually do? Abbott’s June 15 proclamation declared a state of disaster under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code for 101 named counties. In a companion news release, Abbott said the move was intended to ensure local officials and communities could access “the full range of state resources and support.” (houstonpublicmedia.org) The governor’s office said the weather event began June 14 and included flash flooding, large hail and tornado threats. The list of counties stretched across Central, South and Southeast Texas, including Bexar, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Hidalgo, Nueces, Travis and Williamson. ### Why is Houston approving repair money now? Houston City Council approved the $45 million program as the city works through federal disaster-recovery funding tied to the 2024 storms. (gov.texas.gov) Houston’s recovery website says the city expects $314.6 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development disaster funding for local recovery and resilience work tied to the 2024 derecho and Hurricane Beryl. (gov.texas.gov) Houston Public Media reported that the home-repair program is meant to address storm-damaged housing, but city officials said demand will exceed the money now available. The city’s disaster-recovery hub says program guidelines are still being posted as documents become available. ### What changed after the 2025 floods? (houstontx.gov) Kerr County residents told Houston Public Media they are more prepared for disasters one year after the deadly July 4, 2025 floods. The same report said the legislature passed a senate bill requiring emergency plans for flood-prone counties, part of a broader push to formalize local preparation. (houstonpublicmedia.org) Texas lawmakers also advanced related flood-warning requirements. Texas Legislature Online shows Senate Bill 2 includes provisions on outdoor warning sirens in flood-prone areas and testing requirements for those systems. ### Where does the statewide mitigation plan fit in? The Texas General Land Office is updating the state hazard mitigation plan and seeking public input as part of that process, according to Fox RGV and the agency’s mitigation pages. (houstonpublicmedia.org) The plan covers major disaster risks including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. (capitol.texas.gov) The land office also says it has allocated $25 million for a Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Program, with grants for eligible entities to develop or update FEMA-approved local plans. The agency says those funds are meant to support both local planning and an enhanced state hazard mitigation plan. ### What comes next? The City of Houston’s next steps are program rollout and application details for storm-recovery housing aid, while the state continues disaster-response operations under Abbott’s proclamation. (foxrgv.tv) The Texas General Land Office is also continuing its public-input process on the statewide hazard mitigation update, and counties covered by new planning requirements will have to produce or revise emergency plans as those rules take effect. (gov.texas.gov) (glo.texas.gov)