Media & News

This op-ed originally appeared in Houston Chronicle on August 29, 2017. No force of nature is more powerful than Texans helping Texans. That is what we witnessed this weekend as rising waters threatened communities around Harris County – and still as search-and-rescue efforts continue. Though the unfolding scenes of unimaginable devastation and destruction left in […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today expanded his State Disaster Declaration to include four additional Texas counties in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. These counties include: Angelina, Orange, Sabine, and Trinity. There are now a total of 58 counties on the Governor’s State Disaster Declaration. The Governor today visited the Coastal Bend […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott visited the Coastal Bend region where he received a briefing and gave an update on Hurricane Harvey. The Governor then toured the region speaking with Texans impacted by the storm and surveying the extensive damage in the areas affected by Harvey. During his visit, the Governor was inspired by the […]

Austin – Governor Greg Abbott today announced he has activated the entire Texas National Guard in response to Hurricane Harvey, bringing the total number of deployed guardsman to roughly 12,000. These National Guardsman will assist in the ongoing search and rescue effort for any Texans in immediate danger, and will be heavily involved in the […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today expanded his State Disaster Declaration to include four additional Texas counties in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. These counties include: Bastrop, Burleson, San Jacinto and Polk. There are now a total of 54 counties on the Governor’s State Disaster Declaration. “These communities have suffered a great deal because of this catastrophic storm, but Texans are resilient by nature and will make […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today requested from Secretary of Defense General James Mattis that a Texas National Guard Dual Status Command (DSC) be established allowing for a single commander for both federal and state forces to oversee response to the devastation statewide of Hurricane Harvey. “It is imperative that we give our military and first responders on the ground the most efficient method […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) add 12 Texas counties to the Presidential Disaster Declaration granted last week. The original request, which was quickly granted by FEMA, will provide Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation to Texas counties affected by the storm. “Our partners at the […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott today visited with Texans seeking refuge from Hurricane Harvey at a Red Cross Shelter in Austin, Texas. The Governor and First Lady also toured the shelter and helped serve dinner to Texans staying there. During his visit, the Governor and First Lady reassured storm victims that the State of Texas is doing everything possible […]

AUSTIN – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) tonight has granted Governor Greg Abbott’s Request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration in response to Hurricane Harvey. Earlier today, the Governor requested the declaration in order to provide Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation to Texas communities affected by Harvey to help rebuild lives in the aftermath of this […]

AUSTIN – Governor Abbott today issued a proclamation suspending statewide both the state and local Hotel and Motel Occupancy Tax for relief-effort personnel and victims of the storm. The suspension will last 14 days from the day Governor Abbott issued his 30-countywide Disaster Declaration. “There is no doubt that Hurricane Harvey is creating a temporary housing emergency in the state […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today visited with Texans seeking refuge from Hurricane Harvey at a shelter in San Antonio. During his visit, he reaffirmed his first priority is the safety of those in the storm’s path. He also thanked people across the state offering assistance and resources to those in need. Earlier today, the Governor sent a letter […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration as Hurricane Harvey is set to make landfall. The state is expected to see life-threatening and record-setting flooding from rain andstorm surge in areas hardest hit by Harvey. If granted by the president, this request will provide Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and […]