Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
HARLINGEN, Texas – In a heartfelt ceremony filled with emotion and unity, the City of Harlingen came together Monday night to honor the heroes who answered the call during one of the city’s most challenging moments. The recognition event at a packed Harlingen City Chambers paid tribute to the individuals and agencies who played vital roles in responding to the devastating 100-year reign event and its resulting floods.
The heavy rains that led to historic flooding in the Rio Grande Valley occurred between April 2 and April 4, 2025, with the most intense rainfall hitting on April 3, marking the peak of the 100-year rain event.
Mayor Norma Sepulveda, joined by members of the City Commission, key city personnel, and a large gathering of grateful residents, led the evening’s tribute. The atmosphere was charged with appreciation as first responders, city departments, and emergency support teams were recognized for their tireless efforts during the recent disaster.
“When Harlingen was hit hardest, these incredible men and women didn’t hesitate,” Mayor Sepulveda said. “They worked through exhaustion, gave up time with their families, and did whatever it took to keep our community safe. We are here tonight to say: we see you, and we are endlessly grateful.”
Honorees included Harlingen’s fire and police departments, public works crews, public buildings staff, Convention Center employees, and numerous city department personnel. Also recognized were mutual aid fire crews from surrounding cities who left their homes and families to lend assistance, as well as the American Red Cross, whose volunteers supported emergency shelters and relief efforts.
The Harlingen Convention Center, transformed into a temporary refuge for displaced residents during the floods, symbolized the city’s resilience. Staff members who worked around the clock to care for evacuees were honored for their compassion and commitment.
City employees across all departments were praised for going above and beyond, often sacrificing personal time and safety to ensure the needs of Harlingen’s residents were met swiftly and effectively.
The message from Harlingen is that the ceremony was just a small token of our immense gratitude. No amount of words can fully express the pride they feel in how the city came together. Harlingen proudly posted on their social media, “In Harlingen, we are family—and together, we are #HarlingenStrong.”
As the evening concluded, applause echoed through the hall in a powerful show of solidarity, echoing the shared experience of a community that stood firm, stood together, and continues to move forward — united by gratitude, resilience, and hope.
A Storm Like No Other: The Valley’s Unexpected Deluge
Just days ago, the sun-soaked streets of the Rio Grande Valley were caught off guard by a storm unlike anything seen in decades. What began as a forecast of scattered showers quickly escalated into a 100-year rain event—an overwhelming, relentless downpour that transformed neighborhoods into rivers and turned everyday life upside down.
In Harlingen, McAllen, Brownsville, and towns in between, residents watched in disbelief as the water rose faster than they could react. Parking lots disappeared underwater, cars floated in the streets, and entire blocks were swallowed within hours. Many families scrambled to move furniture to higher ground, while others were forced to evacuate their homes with only what they could carry.
It wasn’t just the volume of rain that shocked the Valley—it was the speed. Storm drains overflowed, creeks burst their banks, and the ground, already saturated, could absorb no more. Even lifelong Valley residents, seasoned by hurricanes and storms, said they had never seen anything like this.
First responders worked through the night, rescuing stranded families, delivering supplies, and checking in on the elderly. Shelters filled quickly. Neighbors helped neighbors, sharing generators, food, and hope. Amid the chaos, there was also calm—people pulling together when it mattered most.
The storm didn’t come with the warning of a named hurricane. It arrived quietly, then roared with fury. But in its wake, it revealed something powerful: the resilience of a region used to weather the unexpected—and rising, always stronger than before.
