County Preparing for Heavy Rain as First Tropical Depression of the Season Looms

Hidalgo County is gearing up for possible heavy rains from Tropical Depression No. 3 currently situated in the Gulf of Mexico. Starting within the next 24 hours and for the next three days up to 10 inches could fall in Hidalgo County according to current weather predictions. Because of this year’s atypical soggy summer the soil is already saturated and this amount of rain could cause inland flooding in low-lying areas.

The Hidalgo County Office of Emergency Management has notified each of the four precinct offices to begin preparing sandbags. Residents will be able to pick up sandbags for free starting at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning (Wednesday) from the following locations:

• Precinct 1  1902 Joe Stephens Weslaco (956) 968-8733
• Precinct 2 301 E. State Pharr   (956) 787-1891
• Precinct 3 724 N. Breyfogle Mission   (956) 585-4509
• Precinct 4 1102 N. Doolittle Edinburg   (956) 383-3112

Precinct road and bridge employees and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 employees are checking and readying their equipment such as water pumps vehicles and backhoes. The Sheriff’s Office is servicing high-clearance vehicles in case people need to be evacuated. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army have been notified of the situation too.

Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas asks that residents take a proactive approach and be the first line of defense against a storm.

“With the first tropical system of the season we are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. It is better to prepared than to be caught off-guard and I urge all Hidalgo County residents to take that advice. Hidalgo County is in a vulnerable situation with its currently inadequate levees the amount of rain that has fallen in this summer and a multitude of low-lying areas.

We ask residents to review their family plans make one if they do not have one and stock up on water foods medications and gasoline for their cars. Make sure drainage ditches near your house are clean. This is for drainage and sanitation reasons. And remember to make arrangements for your pets too.

Keep a close eye on local television and radio stations for updated weather reports. The Hidalgo County Emergency Management team along with precinct workers will do their absolute best to keep residents informed and safe.”

It is important to note that the National Weather Service is monitoring Hurricane Dean in the Atlantic Ocean. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center updated its 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook last week maintaining its expectations for an above average hurricane season.

The peak months are here — August through October. If residents with mobility issues or without means of transportation haven’t yet registered with 2-1-1 they should do so at this time.

Media will be notified immediately of further developments. Please don’t hesitate to call the public information office at (956) 292-7026 or (956) 720-5626 for the latest updates.

Contact: Cari Lambrecht
Hidalgo County Public Information Officer