Congressman Gonzalez Announces USDA Disaster Designation for Drought Conditions Duval and Jim Hogg Counties

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that Duval and Jim Hogg Counties were designated as natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered consecutive weeks of intense drought qualifying them for disaster assistance.

In addition, the Secretary of Agriculture named Brooks, Live Oak, Jim Wells, La Salle, McMullen, Maverick and Starr Counties in Texas as contiguous disaster areas.

"I thank Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for issuing a disaster designation in response to the severe drought conditions in South Texas," said Congressman Gonzalez. "This designation will help communities combat the increased threat of wildfires and uplift their economies with much needed federal resources. I encourage those in the 15th District of Texas affected by these conditions to take advantage of these available resources."

A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and those counties contiguous to such primary counties eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) including FSA emergency loans.

Congressman Gonzalez promised to work with other federal, state and local lawmakers to have the Secretary of Agriculture issue a federal drought designation. Gonzalez remains committed to supporting farmers, ranchers, and all Central and South Texans that may be in need of federal assistance.

For more information on USDA drought disaster updates, click here.