Flood Safety Awareness for the Lower Rio Grande Valley: Preparation

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Flood Safety Awareness for the RGV
Flood Safety and Preparation

Floods happen.

In 2013, one year after the combination of record warmth and below average/record dry conditions helped reduce flood deaths to their lowest levels (29) in more than 50 years, flood deaths increased nearly three–fold. A swath of states from the Great Plains to the Mid Atlantic recorded below average temperatures and near record precipitation. The increased rainfall, unfortunately, translated into an increase in non–tropical related flood fatalities; 85 persons perished in floodwaters, nearly matching the long term U.S. average of 89. In 2011, 104 persons perished across the 50 states, with another 9 in Puerto Rico. In Texas alone during 2007, there were more than 40 deaths from flooding, and another 16 fatalities when persons got caught in high water from fast flowing rivers and creeks that did not exceed flood stage!

The 2011 Texas Drought was a big reason why flood fatalities dropped to zero, from 13 in 2010. In 2012, Texas led the nation with 5 flood deaths. In 2013, that number rose to 12, placing Texas second in the nation behind Oklahoma(16). A wise man once said that "Texas is in a perpetual state of drought broken by the occasional flood". It only takes an hour or two for torrential rains to cause nuisance or worse flooding in poor drainage locations across the Rio Grande Valley. We only have to think back just a few years ago to remember what flowing freshwater can bring to the region; McAllen only needs to look back to March 29th, 2012; Roma (Starr County) may recall the week of August 18–25, 2008, when at least 15 inches fell in repeated thunderstorm clusters and flooded the city.

In 2010, the remains of Hurricane Alex dropped an estimated 50 or more inches of rain across the foothills of the Sierra Madre in northern Mexico. This rain ultimately flowed into the Rio Grande Basin, requiring significant dam releases at Amistad and Falcon International Reservoirs, which soon flooded riverside communities downstream from Falcon Heights to Roma and La Grulla in Starr County, and Los Ebanos in Hidalgo County. The rising water forced activation of the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project, or floodways, for the first time since 1988. The levees did their job, but some property and crops within them were severely damaged. In all, at least $40 million in property, crop, and livestock damage occurred – though these numbers may be underestimated. In 2008, freshwater flooding in July and August alone likely resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to property across the Rio Grande Valley. There was only one direct fatality from the flooding.

Good preparation before a flood strikes, and knowing what to do when a flood occurs, will increase your family’s safety...and possibly its survival. Some flood safety preparation tips include:

Prepare a family disaster plan.
Check if your insurance covers flood damages. If not, get flood insurance.
Keep insurance and other important documents, such as copies of drivers’ licenses and credit cards, and other valuable items, in a safe deposit box.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit. Be sure to include prescription medications, food, and water.
Find out where you can go if ordered to evacuate.
Arrange to keep in contact with relatives and friends.

Floodsmart: National Flood Insurance Program webpage

ready.gov flood preparedness information

Check out the following multimedia options for flood safety and preparedness for all ages:

Refer to the American Red Cross of South Texas, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency web site, for ideas and examples of disaster plans and disaster kits.

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