Shelby County Today

January 22, 2026 - The March 3rd Primary Election is fast approaching and there are several deadlines to be aware of leading up to Election Day.

Register to Vote

The last day to register to vote is Monday, February 2, 2026. Visit votetexas.gov to register and for more information.

Ballot by Mail

• First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) is Thursday, January 1, 2026.
• Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) is Friday, February 20, 2026.
• More information about Voting by Mail: https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/index.html
• More information and how to file an Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM): https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/application-for-ballot-by-mail.html

January 30, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners met Friday, January 30, 2026, for an emergency meeting to ratify the Declaration of Disaster put in place by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison on January 23, 2026, in reference to winter storm Fern.

The ratification of disaster reads as follows:

Ratification of Declaration of Disaster

Whereas, the County of Shelby, hereby ratifies the following Declaration of Disaster issued January 23, 2026 for the winter storm designated as 'Fern'.

Whereas, the County of Shelby, on the 23rd of January, 2026, is facing imminent threat of widespread or sever damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from severe winter weather. Conditions include below freezing temperatures, ice accumulation on trees, power lines and roadways and possible interruption on utilities.

Whereas, I, Allison Harbison, County Judge of Shelby County, Texas, has determined, based upon trajectory reports issued by the National Weather Service and the Texas State Operations Center, that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering and protect the people of Shelby County, Texas. And to also, protect and/or rehabilitate property; and

Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed By The County Judge Of Shelby County, Texas:

I. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Shelby County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.

II. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas.

III. Pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.

IV. Pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the Shelby County, Texas Emergency Management Plan.

This proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance.

Ordered this 23rd day of January, 2026 and Ratified the 30th day of January, 2026.

Allison Harbison, County Judge Shelby County, Texas

January 29, 2026 - Very cold temperatures will return this upcoming weekend into early next week in wake of a strong cold front on Friday. Wind chills on Friday night / Saturday morning could range from the single digits to lower teens, with morning lows on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in the teens and lower 20s.

An arctic air mass will result in the return of very cold temperatures Saturday, with readings struggling to reach or exceed the freezing mark during the day. Confidence is high that temperatures will fall into the teens Saturday night.

A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for the entire Four State Region from Midnight Friday through Noon Saturday. Wind chills will range from the single digits north of Interstate 20, to the low to mid teens south of Interstate 20.

A cold front will move across the Four State Region this evening. Can't rule out an isolated shower across Southern Arkansas and Northern Louisiana along the front. Behind the front, very cold air will move into the region for the upcoming weekend.

Cold Weather Advisory

At 9:05am Thursday, January 29, 2026, the National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA issued a cold weather advisory in effect from midnight Friday night to noon Saturday for Shelby County.

Very cold wind chills as low as the single digits along and north of I-20 and a range of 10 to 15 degrees south of I-20 are expected for portions of south central and southwest Arkansas, north central and northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, and east and northeast Texas.

Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions:

• Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.
• Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
• Make sure outdoor animals have a warm, dry shelter, food, and unfrozen water.
• Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.

January 28, 2026 - On January 17, 2026 and January 26, 2026, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

N.E.W. Water Supply has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes. We have also provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of January 28, 2026.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

January 26, 2026 - Due to electrical issues at the plant, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS # 2030034 to notify all customers in Geneva, on Hwy 87, FM 1279, FM 330, Crockett Lane and the East end of FM 353 to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., washing hands/ face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received the notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.