South Texas judge declares disaster due to water shortage – and it's not even summer yet

A South Texas county judge on Tuesday issued a disaster declaration due to ongoing water shortages along the Rio Grande. The declaration by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez comes days after 11 state lawmakers sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State asking for the federal government's help in forcing Mexico to abide by the U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty of 1944. Cortez's declaration, which permits Hidalgo County to activate its emergency management plan and seek state funds to mitigate the drought, is effective immediately.