Jim Wells County extends drought disaster declaration, approves response resources
County leaders extended the drought disaster declaration for 30 days, keeping emergency resources available as Jim Wells County water systems face continued strain.
Jim Wells County Commissioners Court extended its drought disaster declaration for 30 days and kept county response resources available as local officials weigh the strain on public health, safety and water supply.
The five-member court, the county’s governing body, also tied the action to grant opportunities for affected cities.
The declaration gives county leaders a formal emergency posture to move faster on drought response and coordinate aid if conditions worsen. Lance Brown is the emergency management coordinator for Jim Wells County Emergency Management, and the county has been adjusting related weather controls as conditions change, including lifting the burn ban effective April 21, 2026.
The City of Alice extended its own mayoral local disaster declaration tied to drought, first issued April 14, 2026. The step shows the seriousness of the shortage to state regulators and supports expedited Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permitting while sampling and motor installation continued.
Alice was already under Stage 3 severe water shortage conditions in a Dec. 2, 2024 update that put Lake Corpus Christi below 82 feet and set a goal of cutting total water use by 20 percent. The city’s drought materials also include Stage 1 voluntary water-use guidance and a Stage 3 drought page.
Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz announced in April 2024 that Jim Wells and Brooks counties were added to a federal disaster declaration, and county officials were working with Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration on assistance tied to the May 8, 2025 severe weather event. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also named Jim Wells County a Primary Natural Disaster Area on May 11, 2021.
A January 2024 Texas Water Development Board county summary urges participation in regional water planning, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality maintains a list of public water systems that have self-reported water-use restrictions since Jan. 1, 2025.
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