Collin Fall 2025

Opinion: Disaster declaration affects counties hit by heavy rains, flooding

by | Oct 25, 2018 | Opinion

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a state disaster declaration for 18 Texas counties recently impacted by deadly weather that claimed at least four lives and caused extensive flooding. 

On Oct. 16 Abbott authorized the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions to aid in response efforts.

“Texas is taking immediate action to respond to the threat of recent severe weather and flooding across the state. We have made available all necessary resources to respond as quickly and effectively as possible to this disaster and to assist those in harm’s way,” the governor said. “I thank all our first responders and local officials on the ground in these communities for their efforts to assist fellow Texans during this dangerous event.”

Counties included in the disaster declaration are Bastrop, Burnet, Colorado, Fayette, Hood, Jim Wells, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Live Oak, Llano, Mason, McMullen, Nueces, Real, San Patricio, Travis and Williamson.

In related news, the Texas Secretary of State’s office on Oct. 18 announced that its employees contacted election officials in all 18 counties named in the disaster declaration in order to provide immediate guidance and assess election office closures, equipment damage, issues with polling locations, website availability and any other ongoing issues as a result of severe weather. 

Secretary of State Rolando Pablos, Texas’ chief elections officer, said his office is working “with both party and elected officials to gather additional information and ensure that any Texas voters affected by severe weather will be accommodated when preparing to cast their ballots.”

Early voting began Oct. 22 and runs through Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 6.

Survivors’ bill to be filed

Legislation to create a telemedicine program to deliver medical forensic care to sexual assault survivors throughout Texas will be filed soon.

Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, on Oct. 17 announced she would introduce legislation that addresses the fact that 84 percent of Texas counties currently are not served by a nurse with sexual assault certifications. 

Nelson said her bill would establish telemedicine hubs through which local medical providers may consult with a certified nurse during a sexual assault exam and “dramatically expand the number of locations where survivors can obtain care and ensure evidence is collected in a manner that will stand up in court.”

“Every survivor of sexual assault deserves compassionate care and justice, regardless of where they live,” Nelson said.

Nelson serves as chair of the state budget-writing Senate Finance Committee.

Jobless rate falls further

Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent in September, down from 3.9 percent in August, and setting a new record for the lowest unemployment rate recorded in four decades. 

The Texas Workforce Commission posted the numbers on Oct. 19, also saying the state’s economy added 15,600 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs in September. The annual employment growth was 3.3 percent in September, marking 27 consecutive months of annual growth.

Texas Workforce Commission Chair Ruth Ruggero Hughs said, “Texas’ continued addition of jobs over a 27-month period demonstrates the competitive advantage and market opportunities available to our Texas employers and world-class workforce.”

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.2 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA and the Odessa MSA, which had the second lowest with a rate of 2.7 percent. The Austin-Round Rock and College Station- Bryan MSAs recorded the third lowest rate of 2.9 percent for September.

Alamo plan is finalized

After the San Antonio City Council voted for final approval of an Alamo plaza lease agreement and closing the streets in front of the Alamo, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush on Oct. 18 released this statement: 

“Texas has a rich and unique history defined by the valor of our defenders who gave their lives for a single idea: liberty. The effort to preserve and restore the Alamo battlefield began three years ago and has undergone intense debate and discussion. Today’s vote is a historic milestone, showcasing the State of Texas and City of San Antonio’s commitment to restoring the Alamo for generations of Texans to come. The story of the Alamo is world-renowned and represents the core of Texas’ identity today. I look forward to seeing restoration begin, ensuring the Alamo is around for another 300 years.”

Ed Sterling is the member services director for the Texas Press Association.

His column is a weekly aggregation of news about the state’s government.

For more opinion pieces like this subscribe in print or online.

NTMWD 2025

0 Comments

Collin Fall 2025

Related News

Double time

Double time

Columnist John Moore is on a mission to save old timepieces. He needs your help. Photo: John Moore My friend runs a precious metals shop, selling mostly gold and silver. I was there to discuss those very things when a pocket watch caught my eye. An Elgin. My buddy...

read more
A lot on the line

A lot on the line

Columnist John Moore keeps an old rotary phone around. Just in case. Photo by John Moore There are many once-common aspects of the telephone that are now gone. Keep in mind that those born in the 1990s likely have never heard a dial tone, dialed a phone, or talked to...

read more
Clutching the past

Clutching the past

Columnist John Moore learned to drive on a stick shift. He still uses a clutch to operate his tractor. Courtesy John Moore One of the necessities of my youth is now one of your best bets to prevent vehicle theft: a stick shift. I watch a lot of YouTube, and...

read more
Polished

Polished

Columnist John Moore still shines his own shoes. As long as he can find the polish to buy. Courtesy John Moore In some cultures, people wash the feet of guests who arrive at their home. At my parents’ house, I didn’t wash the feet of guests, but I did offer to shine...

read more
The chain gang

The chain gang

Columnist John Moore misses the old chain stores, one of which, Gibson’s, still exists in Kerrville, Texas. Courtesy John Moore Online shopping has turned us into couch potatoes who buy more than we ever used to. Adding items to an imaginary cart and clicking, “Buy...

read more
A free gift inside

A free gift inside

Columnist John Moore eats a lot of jelly, but not for the reason you might think. Courtesy John Moore My sister and I would make a beeline for the cereal aisle at the Piggly Wiggly while my mom did the shopping.  Decisions, decisions. Did we want to roll the dice...

read more
Jumping to conclusions

Jumping to conclusions

Columnist John Moore finds himself a little lost with new technology. Sometimes lost a lot. Courtesy John Moore Folks aren’t counting on each other like we were 50 years ago. And technology is the wedge that’s come between us. Our parents didn’t worry about us much...

read more
Gardens and Grandma

Gardens and Grandma

Columnist John Moore didn’t like gardens as a kid. That’s changed thanks to his grandmothers. Courtesy John Moore As a kid, I hated the vegetable garden. If you stood on our back porch, it was to your left. It took up the entire corner of our large yard. To me,...

read more
He’s still got it

He’s still got it

Columnist John Moore is the keeper of his family’s history. Including his parents’ vintage grandfather clock. Courtesy John Moore The difference in a collector and a pack rat is whether you’re rich or poor. Those with money are considered refined and people of taste....

read more
Subscribe 300x250 - Love