Hidalgo County leaders and farmers speak on disaster declaration

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) —  Hidalgo County leaders and farmers speak out on the disaster declaration regarding the ongoing drought.

The declaration stated the drought conditions “pose an imminent and continuous threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property and to public health, municipal water supplies and agricultural production.”

"Right now the portion that was allocated for agricultural is pretty much dwindling down and getting to a point that it's nonexistent, which means all that's left is for municipalities," said Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's drought monitor says Hidalgo County is not currently in a drought, but local farmers believe otherwise. 

"The situation is more critical now, with the combined lake levels at about 22% going into the spring, probably the lowest they've ever been going into summer," said Farmer, Dale Murden.

Murden says the disaster declaration helps him and others in his situation.

“These drought designations gives growers opportunities to apply for low-interest loans," he said. "When the United States Department of Agriculture designates an emergency situation then we can apply for disaster assistance and those kinds of programs.”

Cortez says this disaster declaration is one way to help farmers and the more than 4,000 jobs at risk associated with the citrus industry.

“Citrus trees need water for them to produce a commercial crop," said Cortez. "If those trees are unable to receive any water, then we're going to lose them.”

The disaster declaration will remain in effect for the next seven days until the commission meets again, and possibly vote to extend it.