Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
March 28, 2025—Rio Grande Valley, TX—In the aftermath of the overwhelming and historic rainfall that struck the Rio Grande Valley, mayors across the region have issued disaster declarations and mobilized emergency resources to respond to the devastation, which has left homes flooded, streets impassable, and residents in urgent need of assistance.
The storm, which delivered nearly a foot of rain in less than 24 hours, far exceeded initial forecasts and pushed the region’s drainage systems to their limits. The cities of McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, and others have all taken emergency action as recovery efforts are now in full motion.
“We received up to 12 inches of rain, with up to 9 inches falling in just a few hours yesterday — that’s three times what was predicted,” said Mayor Javier Villalobos of McAllen. “Today, I signed a disaster declaration for our City of McAllen so that we may receive assistance if necessary.”
Despite the intense rainfall, Mayor Villalobos praised the city’s emergency teams and residents who stepped up during the crisis. “Thank you to our police department, our firefighters, public works, and all other city departments and emergency management that worked tirelessly to get us through this,” he said. “Also, thanks to those citizens who went above and beyond to help stranded motorists caught in the waters. I am so proud and honored to serve this community.”
In Edinburg, where neighborhoods were submerged and multiple water rescues were required, Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. declared a local disaster to expedite relief efforts and activate the city’s Emergency Operations Center.
“This extreme weather event has placed a tremendous strain on our community, and our top priority is ensuring the safety of our residents,” said Garza. “We are working around the clock to assist, deploy resources, and coordinate with state agencies to address this emergency.”
In an emotional statement, Mayor Garza noted his dedication to the city’s recovery efforts: “Even though I just had surgery two days ago, I wanted to make sure I signed this declaration so our community can receive the assistance needed to recover. I may have been a bit slower getting to city hall, but my passion to serve as your mayor gave me the energy to fulfill my duty.”
Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza acknowledged the impact of the recent flooding while emphasizing the effectiveness of the city’s proactive drainage improvements.
“While this storm presented significant challenges, I am pleased to share that thanks to the proactive work we’ve done in improving our drainage infrastructure, the impact of the flooding was significantly reduced,” said Mayor Garza. She thanked Public Safety personnel, Public Works, and city staff for their dedication, adding, “We will continue to work tirelessly to keep our community safe.”
She also recognized regional partners: “I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ever Villarreal and the Hidalgo County Drainage District for their invaluable assistance in addressing drainage concerns.”
Hidalgo County Responds
At the county level, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez acted swiftly in response to the severe weather.
“In the presence of my Chief of Staff, Isaac Sulemana, and Coordinator of Emergency Management, Ricardo Saldaña, I signed the Declaration of Local Disaster in the wake of Thursday’s rainstorm that brought widespread flooding and significant property damage,” said Judge Cortez.
His declaration enables the county to access additional state resources and support for the immediate recovery efforts and long-term rebuilding process.
As local governments work to manage the crisis, Hidalgo County Emergency Management officials are urging residents who experienced property damage to complete the iSTAT Damage Survey, a tool the state uses to assess the extent of storm-related destruction. While completing the survey does not guarantee financial assistance, it plays a crucial role in mobilizing state and federal support.
The survey can be accessed through the Hidalgo County Emergency Management page or via a QR code shared across official platforms.
As the region begins the long recovery process, one thing is clear — the Rio Grande Valley’s leadership is unified, determined, and standing with its communities every step of the way. For emergency support or updates:
• Call 311 for local assistance.
• Follow city websites and social media for real-time alerts.
• Complete the iSTAT Damage Survey if your property was affected by scanning the QR code below:
