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Cleaning Mess Caused by Recent Flood Continues
- Updated: July 25, 2019
Damaged mobile home at Green Bay South Community on White Ranch Road. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN
by Tony Vindell/LFN
The second major flood to hit the Rio Grande Valley in a year has gone but the remnants of the second flood this June has not dissipated.
Puddles of standing water can still be seen in the northern and western areas of Cameron County and in southern Willacy County and although some seemed to be normal, the cleanup continues.
Wednesday, July 17, was the last day for the Town of Primera to pick up debris left after the flood inundated scores of homes there.
In fact, piles of carpet, wet sheetrock and furniture could be seen last week along Primera Road and in several areas of the town.
Some neighborhoods along White Ranch Road took a hit.
At Green Bay South Community Inc., a mobile home community on the east side of the road that falls within the City of Harlingen, crews from companies that repair such homes have been working as busy as bees.
A home at International Street and White Ranch Road was hit hard by rising waters to the point of knocking down the carport.
Jesus Cariaga, who lives next door to the mobile home, said a tractor went by in the midst of the flood causing a big wave.
“If it wasn’t for barbecue pit under the carport,” he said, “the whole thing would have come crashing down.”
A crew was tearing the carport down as well as parts of the mobile home floor, while another group of workers were doing similar jobs nearby.
But help is coming for those impacted by the June flood.
On Wednesday, July 17, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that President Trump issued a disaster declaration for Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy County.
According to FEMA, the President’s action makes federal funding available to those affected by the flood providing assistance in the form grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Home and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
