On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott issued a formal disaster declaration for 134 Texas counties in anticipation of Winter Storm Fern. The proclamation, grounded in Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, enables the state to expedite emergency response and reallocate resources to high-risk regions.
Here’s what Abbott said at the press conference:
“Because of the severity of this storm, right now I am making a disaster declaration covering 134 counties across the state of Texas to make sure that every possible resource can be made available to those communities so the state can respond quicker, faster, and better than ever before. We have an outstanding team that is already prepared, already responding, to make sure that, even though we’re going to go through a harsh winter storm, we’re going to make it through this process.”
State Preparedness and Emergency Measures
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has elevated the State Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response). Key logistical actions include:
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued a five-day waiver for commercial vehicle drivers. Effective through January 26, this allows drivers transporting essential goods—including propane, fuel, and groceries—to exceed standard driving hour limits to ensure supply chain stability.
Additionally, over 5,000 TxDOT personnel and hundreds of pieces of equipment, including snowplows and motor graders, have been deployed for roadway treatment and debris clearance.
Electrical Grid Projections
Despite a Weather Watch issued by ERCOT from Saturday, January 24, through Tuesday, January 27, state leaders maintained that the power grid is prepared for the surge in demand.
Governor Abbott stated there is “no expectation whatsoever” of system-wide power loss.
Officials clarified that while the grid is stable, localized outages may occur due to ice accumulation (exceeding 0.5 inches in some areas) weighing down power lines or causing tree limbs to fall.
Public Guidance
State officials highlighted several critical resources for the duration of the storm:
- Travel: Road conditions are being updated in real-time at DriveTexas.org.
- Shelter: A statewide map of warming centers is available at tdem.texas.gov/warm.
- Assistance: Texans requiring non-emergency aid can call 211 to find local resources for food and shelter.