|
Only have a minute? Listen instead
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Two weeks after the storm that left thousands of Rio Grande Valley residents without power and caused damages and various road closures due to debris, the area is once again facing thunderstorms across the area.
Here’s what we know from the cities and agencies tracking the storm, from forecasts to damages to road closures to sandbag distributions, shelters and event cancellations.
Multiple agencies are also reporting one death and multiple injuries as a result of a tornado that struck Laguna Heights early Saturday morning.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
According to what the National Weather Service in Brownsville called their preliminary damage assessment, an EF1 tornado with wind speeds between 86 and 105 miles per hour struck the Laguna Heights area sometime between 4:01 and 4:06 a.m. Saturday.
The city of Port Isabel has said that the tornado is to blame for one death and multiple injuries as well as significant damage to residences and properties in Laguna Heights. Cameron County officials later reported there were 11 non-life threatening injuries.
The storm had already brought 2 to 4 inches of rainfall to the Valley by mid-morning.
According to a noontime forecast, however, the NWS is now stating that severe weather has been downgraded to a “slight risk of excessive rainfall” Saturday but that scattered flash flooding may still be possible.
“Watch out for nuisance flooding,” the NWS stated on Facebook.
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The Texas Department of Transportation has reopened one eastbound and one westbound lane on State Highway 100 since closing it early Saturday due to debris.
It was closed in both directions for several hours between Laguna Heights and State Highway 48 while TxDOT cleared the roadway.
Visit DriveTexas.Org or call (800) 452-9292 for more information.
LAGUNA HEIGHTS
The NWS said on Facebook that there were damages and injuries reported out of the Laguna Heights area around 4 a.m. Saturday.
Residents have been posting photos to social media of overnight structural damage.
By the looks of it, damages to homes and businesses were extensive, with roofs peeled off, fences ripped apart in some areas, awnings torn and strewn in front of properties and even vehicles that appeared to have been displaced.
Residents’ videos also show local law enforcement, emergency crews and state troopers on site maintaining order.
The city of Port Isabel took to Facebook on Saturday morning saying that a tornado caused “extensive damage to Laguna Heights, the community between Port Isabel and Laguna Vista on Highway 100.”
“Currently, Highway 100 at 510 is blocked to all traffic. Vehicles are directed back to Los Fresnos and westbound traffic is turned around at the stop,” the city of Port Isabel stated. “Multiple structures sustained extensive damage and power lines were damaged causing some outages. Crews from multiple agencies including the Port Isabel Public Works are onsite assisting with recovery and cleanup.”
Port Isabel officials also stated that Valley Regional Medical Center set up a triage center “for walking wounded,” and confirmed at least one death, and 10 injured people transported for treatment.
PORT ISABEL
The city opened a shelter at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center, located at 309 E. Railroad Ave., where the Salvation Army, Red Cross and Cameron County Emergency Management are there to help residents.
There is food and water available, and a Valley Regional Medical Center triage team is also on site to treat minor injuries.
Residents are asked to bring their medication as the shelter will remain open “until it is no longer needed.”
Call (956) 943-2727 for more information on the shelter. It is not an emergency number.
HARLINGEN
Heavy rains forced the cancellation of Blues on the Hill in Harlingen, which was originally scheduled for Saturday.
Another event is set for Saturday, June 10. Details such as the lineup and other activities will be announced on the Blues on the Hill Facebook page.
EDINBURG
The storm led to various traffic signals being down in Edinburg including the intersections at Veterans and Trenton, Raul Longoria and Wisconsin, Jackson and Freddy Gonzalez. The city is asking residents who are out and about to treat these intersections as four-way stops.
Throughout the storm, the city is urging residents to contact them at (956) 259-4211 or 3-1-1 to receive support. Staff will be available through 5 p.m. Saturday and until noon Sunday.
PHARR
Sandbags continue to be distributed in Pharr at the EMS headquarters on 3000 N. Cage Blvd. and at the Jones Box Park on 1201 W. Rosa Lane.
Distribution, which is self-service with six sandbags available per residence and 12 per business, is through 5 p.m. Residents must provide proof of residency, such as a water bill or driver’s license.
McALLEN
The city of McAllen has confirmed the postponement of the Sunset Live event, which was originally scheduled for Saturday.
The city said this was due to inclement weather forecasts.
MISSION
Two events in Mission have also been canceled due to the storm.
The Mom & Me Mother’s Day program in Mission has been canceled as a result of the weather. Call (956) 580-8646 and ask about refunds.
The Mission Historical Museum is also closed. The city cited “the safety of our employees and community in mind.”
Music at the Park, which was slated Friday, has been rescheduled to Friday, May 19.
SAN JUAN
A planned sandbag distribution in San Juan was canceled Saturday due to heavy rainfall and lightning, the city said on its Facebook page.
The transfer site in town has also been closed until further notice.
PSJA ISD
Four shelters have opened in the Pharr, San Juan and Alamo tri-city area thanks to PSJA ISD.
The school district opened shelters Friday at the following locations:
>> PSJA North Early College High School, 500 E. Nolana Loop, Pharr
>> PSJA Escalante Middle School, 6123 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr
>> Yzaguirre Middle School, 605 E. Farm-to-Market Road 495, San Juan
>> Alamo Middle School, 1819 Business 83, Alamo
The shelters are open for students, parents, staff and community members in need during the storm. Pets are also welcome.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are being provided Saturday.
UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley canceled its commencement ceremony slated in Brownsville on Saturday due to severe weather conditions in the morning.
The university said on Facebook that it was working to “find a safe and special way to celebrate your achievements,” and will announce details in the future.
PALM VALLEY ANIMAL SOCIETY
Pets can be stressed during storm events, and the Palm Valley Animal Society provided these tips to help keep your furry friend calm during the thunder and lightning.
>> Bring your pets inside
>> Keep them in a dry and enclosed shelter if they have to be outside
>> Make sure they’re microchipped so if they do get out, they’ll be taken to a veterinarian and returned to you
>> Use a weighted blanket or thundershirt on them
>> Put on calming background music
>> If your animal still struggles with storm anxiety, ask a veterinarian for medication to help
Editor’s note: This story will be updated periodically throughout the May 13-14 weekend as news develops.
