Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – Hidalgo County Commissioners Court voted to continue a Declaration of Disaster at a special meeting held Friday.
County Judge Ramon Garcia signed a proclamation declaring a local state of disaster on May 18. Under Texas statutes, a county judge may issue a declaration for a period of not more than seven days, unless the same is continued by consent of the Commissioners Court.
However, the conditions necessitating the declaration have continued to exist due to widespread severe damage from flooding caused by recent torrential rains. The move by Commissioners Court extends the declaration until terminated by order of Commissioners Court.
“This declaration is very important,” said Hidalgo County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Ricardo Saldaña. “It not only allows us to submit expenditures, it will also allow the County to enter private property and alleviate the heavily flooded areas.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joseph Palacios said his area in northern Hidalgo County has been hardest hit.
“It wasn’t a failure of the system. It was a 100-year event,” said Palacios, adding that crews continue to work around the clock to alleviate flooding.
Among the health concerns in flooded areas are compromised septic tanks that may leak raw sewage, power outages, and prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
With more severe weather forecast for the Memorial Day weekend, residents everywhere are urged to take precaution and keep their yards and property free of debris that can clog drains.
