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Hidalgo County’s Precinct 3 office said Wednesday that it has finished clearing the debris left in the wake of the April 28-29 storm that brought with it hurricane-force winds and left widespread damage in the region.
The storm was notable for more than the downpour and large hail it brought to the area, but for the 80 mph winds that contributed to power outages affecting some 200,000 residents, and for leaving behind a landscape of awnings, uprooted trees, signs, trash receptacles and other objects strewn across city streets, alleyways and yards.
The task of removing the debris in the rural areas of Precinct 3 proved especially daunting, as the office announced via a news release Wednesday that efforts to complete brush pickup are finally complete some two months later.
“Our priority now shifts to addressing the remaining storm-related brush for those residents with pending work orders,” Precinct 3 said in the release. “We are committed to expediting the clearance of storm debris and ensuring a safe and clean environment for all residents.”
Precinct 3 Deputy Chief of Staff Aníbal Reséndez said Wednesday that the office had received reports of residents clearing debris from their homes and dumping it in areas that block drainage.
Reséndez said Precinct 3 does not provide daily brush pickup and is doing what it can to protect the area from flooding during torrential downpours.
“They’re clearing the clippings from yard work and additional services they’re providing in their yards and adding it to piles in the easements and on the side of the roads, so as we’re preparing for upcoming rains and hurricane season we’re asking residents to no longer put brush on the easements and ditches,” Reséndez said. “We’re reverting to asking that if they have to dispose of brush they have to do it themselves at these sanitation stations.
Permits to use these sanitation stations run at $25 for three months, $50 for six months and $100 for a year.
Sanitation stations are located at 1224 W. Military Road in Peñitas, 8110 N. Los Ebanos Road in Mission and 1220 Farm-to-Market Road 886 in Sullivan City.
In the meantime, Reséndez said Precinct 3 Commissioner Everado “Ever” Villarreal has also asked the office to help residents with temporary brush pickup assistance for those who have mobility issues.
“Commissioner Villarreal listens to feedback and requested our office to be lenient when it comes to those policies,” Reséndez added.
“We would like to express our appreciation for the understanding and cooperation demonstrated by Precinct 3 residents,” Villarreal said in the release. “If you have any inquiries or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our office.”
For more information on the sanitation stations and brush pickup, call Precinct 3 at (956) 585-4509.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect Aníbal Reséndez’s correct title.
