Hidalgo County Judge Cortez Signs Disaster Declaration On Drought 

EDINBURG – Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, in his capacity as emergency management director, signed a declaration of a local state of disaster on Thursday because of the ongoing drought. 

The declaration says that Hidalgo County “has suffered exceptional drought conditions that pose a threat of imminent disaster.” 

The declaration is effective immediately but only remains in effect for seven days. At that point, the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court must vote to extend the disaster declaration. 

“We are all aware of the dangerously dry conditions in Hidalgo County and this declaration acknowledges that everyone must pitch in to conserve one of our most precious resources: our water,” said Cortez. 

Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster proclamation on July 8, 2022, citing exceptional drought conditions throughout Texas. The Hidalgo County proclamation paves the way for local jurisdictions to be reimbursed by state and federal agencies for costs associated with the drought, such as the need to truck in water. 

While Hidalgo County has no statutory control of any of the area’s water, Cortez said the declaration also publicizes the critical need for Hidalgo County residents to conserve water. Already several local jurisdictions have issued water restrictions and residents are asked to check with their local jurisdictions to understand these restrictions.