Jim Wells County officials said the county moved from emergency response into recovery on May 9 after a severe wind event on May 8 that caused widespread power outages, downed poles and debris-blocked roads.

County Judge (name not specified) and Lance Brown, Jim Wells County emergency management coordinator, told the Commissioners Court that crews are conducting damage assessments, crews and mutual-aid partners remain in the field, and residents should report damage and stay away from downed power lines. “We are 100% in the recovery stage now,” Lance Brown said.

The court emphasized why residents should report damage and how: officials asked people with property damage to upload photos into the I STAT damage-assessment portal so state teams can evaluate whether the county meets state or federal thresholds for disaster assistance. “Pictures, pictures, pictures is what you’re gonna need to upload to the I STAT,” Brown said. The county posted a nonemergency contact number, (361) 668-0341, for dispatchers to log reports and send deputies to pin down locations.

Nut graf: The court’s briefing focused on immediate public-safety steps and the technical process for documenting damage that could affect eligibility for state or federal assistance. County and municipal officials described coordinated field response by county crews, municipal emergency-management staff, volunteer and state teams, and private utilities to clear roads, assess structures and restore power.

Most urgent facts: county officials said about 5,300 customers were without power during the meeting. AEP and Oasis Power Electric were named as the utilities working to restore service; county leaders warned that only utility crews should move or touch downed lines. Sheriff Guy Baker said the sheriff’s office and partner agencies were patrolling roads and clearing debris to reach people who needed medical help.

Officials described where people can find help and what the county can and cannot do. The Red Cross was operating a shelter at the Merchants Building at the fairgrounds and also had personnel at the Alice Fire Station. County staff said they cannot enter private property to remove debris; residents should move brush and tree limbs to the edge of their property for county collection. “We can’t go on to private property to pick up the brush,” a county official said.

Officials also addressed social-media confusion about whether a tornado struck. Patrick Thomas, emergency management coordinator for the City of Alice, said the National Weather Service’s preliminary assessment points to a straight-line wind event rather than a tornado and that sirens are triggered only by a formal tornado warning. “Last night, there was not a tornado warning,” Thomas said.

County leaders encouraged particular attention to vulnerable residents. Brown and the County Judge asked that neighbors check on elderly residents and those who rely on electric medical devices and call the county if they need assistance. County staff said they had contacted nursing homes and school superintendents; most nursing facilities had restored power quickly and operated under their own emergency plans.

Officials outlined next steps and logistics: the county will publish guidance on how to place cut debris for pickup, will push public information through social media and will host staff to help residents submit I STAT reports. County staff said they are meeting with TDEM (Texas Department of Emergency Management) representatives and an incident support task force to determine whether damage meets state or federal assistance thresholds.

Less critical details: the county had opened warming/shelter space but reported low shelter use; officials said about 20–30 cots and some blankets were staged at the fairgrounds but received no occupants overnight. The court recessed to allow field operations to continue.

Ending: County officials repeated the safety advice—stay away from downed lines, report damage through the county number or I STAT, and be patient as utilities and crews work to restore service—and said they would issue further public updates as assessments proceed.