Mayor Richard Molina has signed a Disaster Declaration for the City of Edinburg due to flooding from heavy rain and is asking the state for help.
Rainfall between Sept. 8 and Tuesday totaled between 6 and 12 inches in Hidalgo County, and between 4 and 7 inches in Cameron County, according to the National Weather Service.
Molina signed the declaration on Wednesday.
Saying the city is facing significant threats to life, health and property, the mayor will send the declaration to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office for consideration today, according to a news release from the city.
“We’re being proactive rather than reactive,” Molina said in the news release. “We know the weather threat we’re facing and we are asking for the state’s help now.”
As of 7 a.m. today, the following roads in Edinburg were closed: Rogers Road, from Doolittle Road to Nikki Lane; the intersection of M Road and Adams Lane; the northbound Frontage Road from Wilson Avenue to El Cibolo Road; Mile 17½ Road, from McColl to Depot roads; and Closner Boulevard and Glasscock Avenue.
Edinburg Fire Chief Shawn Snider explained how the city is helping to reduce drainage problems.
“All the preventive measures that we’re doing right now relate to pumping off as much water as we can out of the drainage ditches,” Snider told The Rider Wednesday afternoon. “It’s critical that the drainage ditches have to be as empty as possible.”
Four additional pumps for floodwater have been requested in advance of the forecast storms headed toward the area this weekend, according to the news release.
The National Weather Service in Brownsville forecast more scattered showers and thunderstorms today with locally heavy rainfall at times. A flash flood watch remains in effect through 7 p.m. Friday.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported today that “a trough of low pressure located over the western Gulf of Mexico is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.”
“While upper-level winds are generally conducive for the development of a tropical depression, the system only has about a day before it reaches the western gulf coast,” according to www.weather.gov. “Regardless of development, heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected across portions of northeastern Mexico, Texas and Louisiana on Friday and Saturday.”
Snider explained a few measures in which residents can prepare.
“We ask that every citizen have a plan for their family. They need to determine if their home is storm ready. Will it be able to withstand a potential tropical storm?”
Snider suggested residents with unsustainable homes should make plans about what they will do and where they will go. Residents should also have enough food, water, and required medication for seven days minimum.
“[Residents] need to have cash on hand because if the power goes out, credit cards and ATMs don’t work,” Snider said.
Students on campus will be assisted in case of flooding.
“If the students are not able to get out, and if the university lets us know, then we can help facilitate the removal of students from classrooms, buildings and get them to an area that they can continue on to their home or if they need to be sheltered or sheltered in place, that can all be worked,” Snider said.
Snider encourages residents to pay close attention to weather forecasts in the news for updates.
The City of Edinburg is offering up to 12 free sandbags for residents from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Edinburg Municipal Park at 714 S. Raul Longoria Road.
Sandbags have been provided since Monday and will be available until further notice. Individuals must provide proof of residency and fill their own sandbags. Help with filling sandbags will also be available at the Edinburg Service Center, located at 1201 N. Doolittle Road.
The City of Brownsville will also offer sandbags to residents from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at 3243 E. 14th St.
For more information and updates, visit www.cityofedinburg.com or the City of Brownsville website, www.cob.gov.
