HARLINGEN — For many city residents, storm preparation isn’t complete without sandbags.
As Tropical Storm Harvey bore down on the Texas coast, the City of Harlingen began distributing sandbags this morning at the Public Works Warehouse at 404 S. 54th Street.
On entering, drivers must show ID to prove they are city residents, and are entitled to up to six free sandbags. For commercial businesses, 12 free sandbags is the limit.
City workers had filled hundreds of the dark green sandbags already, and sweating men with shovels busily filled more as cars and pickups formed two steadily moving lines.
By 9:30 a.m., more than a hundred vehicles had entered the yard and loaded up.
“We’ll be going until 8 tonight,” said Oscar Ovalle, project control officer in the city’s Engineering Department.
While traffic in and our of the public works yard was moving smoothly this morning, Ovalle said in his experience it probably wouldn’t last.
“Some people get backed up, I’ve seen it all the way up to Loop 499 and maybe even wrap around Ed Carey,” which is about a mile and a half away, he said.
He said residents are generally grateful to receive the filled sandbags, which are usually placed around entry doors of homes or businesses to minimize the impact of any localized flooding.
“We try to do our best to service the city,” he added. “In times like this, it’s just a small part of it, but some of the people are happy with the service they get here.”
Ovalle said it’s also a chance for people to be pro-active. Instead of just waiting for a tropical storm or hurricane to arrive, they can do something to potentially alleviate any ill effects on their home or business.
“We try to err on the side of caution,” Ovalle said. “Hopefully it goes up around Corpus Christi.”
