Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia has issued a proclamation declaring a local state of disaster due to the tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that continues toward the Texas coast due to the threat of imminent disaster, including severe flooding, widespread and severe property damage.
The declaration reads in part, “the Judge of the County of Hidalgo has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety and general wellbeing of County citizens, alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property.”
Gov. Greg Abbott also has issued a disaster declaration due to the tropical disturbance for Hidalgo County, as well as 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, 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.
The state declaration reads, in part: “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. … I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster. …
“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.”
The County declaration is in effect for seven days, unless extended by Commissioners Court.
