safety
Gov. Abbott issues major disaster declaration for 28 counties after flooding
By ABC 12 at KTXS (ABC 12) Abilene News
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
Gov. Greg Abbott heads to Uvalde Friday for a storm and flash flood response update, joined by state and local emergency officials. Briefing at 2 p.m. is photo-only, followed by a 3 p.m. press conference.
Key takeaway Greg Abbott heads to Uvalde Friday for a storm and flash flood response update, joined by state and local emergency officials.
Why this matters in Abilene News
The governor's major disaster declaration for 28 counties will likely have implications for Taylor County's own emergency preparedness and response efforts. As Abilene residents know, flash flooding can be a significant threat in this part of Texas, and the declaration may lead to increased state support for local flood mitigation projects. The fact that Gov. Abbott is visiting Uvalde to receive a storm and flash flood response update suggests that the state is taking a proactive approach to addressing the needs of affected communities. Local officials in Abilene will likely be watching the press conference closely to see what resources and assistance may be available to help prepare for and respond to future flooding events in the area. The declaration may also lead to increased collaboration between state and local emergency management officials, which could ultimately benefit Abilene's own emergency response capabilities.
About this story
Original reporting by KTXS (ABC 12) Abilene News . Abilene News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTXS (ABC 12) Abilene News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KTXS (ABC 12) Abilene News ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Abilene News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Gov. Greg Abbott heads to Uvalde Friday for a storm and flash flood response update, joined by state and local emergency officials. Briefing at 2 p.m. is photo-only, followed by a 3 p.m. press conference.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KTXS (ABC 12) Abilene News and curated for Abilene News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ABC 12 at KTXS (ABC 12) Abilene News. To learn more about how Abilene News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Abilene News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter