Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Heavy rainfall in Edinburg caused flooding at Richard R. Flores Cat Stadium and the city’s parks and recreation building after drainage systems became clogged with trash and sludge, according to city officials.
Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa said city workers responded immediately after flooding was reported at both facilities. Workers used a Vector truck to inspect exposed manholes in areas not yet underwater and to identify debris obstructing drainage lines.
“What they found was trash,” Ochoa said. “They found so much trash in these manholes that water was not able to get out of the parking lots, out of the street, and into the main drain line where it’s supposed to go.”
According to Ochoa, crews used the Vector truck to remove trash, sludge, and other materials blocking the drainage system. He said water flow resumed shortly after the debris was cleared.
“Literally within minutes of them sucking up all of that trash, the water started to flow,” Ochoa said. “Within minutes of that, all of the water from the parking lots was gone.”
Ochoa said the drainage infrastructure functioned as designed once the obstruction was removed, allowing water to move into larger drainage channels. He attributed the flooding to improper disposal of waste materials into streets and sewer systems.
“People put trash in the street, people put trash in the sewer, which causes flooding for all of your neighbors all around you,” Ochoa said. “This needs to stop.”
The mayor urged residents not to dispose of trash, grass clippings, or brush in streets or drainage systems. He said debris placed in roadways can eventually block storm drains and contribute to neighborhood flooding.
“If you mow your lawn, don’t put your grass clippings on the sidewalk,” Ochoa said. “If you take brush, don’t put that into the street. Put it where it’s supposed to go, right off the sidewalk, for crews to come and pick that up.”
Ochoa also called on residents to monitor and discourage improper waste disposal in their neighborhoods, noting that city crews continue working throughout Edinburg to maintain drainage lines during storm conditions.
