safety
Governor Abbott issues disaster declaration for 59 Texas counties amid severe storms, flash flooding threat
By KWTX News at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· July 14, 2026
· 2 min read
AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued a disaster declaration for 59 Texas counties as severe storms and the threat of dangerous flash flooding continue across the state.Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to maintain 24-hour operations at the Texas ...
Key takeaway Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued a disaster declaration for 59 Texas counties as severe storms and the threat of dangerous flash flooding continue across the state.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The disaster declaration issued by Governor Abbott for 59 Texas counties, including those in the Permian Basin area, signals a proactive approach to addressing the severe storms and flash flooding threat. For Odessa residents, this means that state resources will be readily available to support local response efforts, should the need arise. The Texas Department of Transportation and Texas Department of Public Safety, in particular, will play crucial roles in maintaining road safety and providing emergency assistance. As the National Weather Service forecasts heavy rainfall through the end of the week, Odessa residents would do well to heed the governor's warning to monitor local weather forecasts and avoid driving through flooded roadways. By taking precautions and staying informed through resources like TexasReady.gov and DriveTexas.org, the community can minimize the risks associated with severe weather and flash flooding.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa 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 CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued a disaster declaration for 59 Texas counties as severe storms and the threat of dangerous flash flooding continue across the state.Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to maintain 24-hour operations at the Texas ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KWTX News at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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