Valley set to see some rain

McALLEN — Although Tropical Storm Arlene is expected to make landfall Thursday about 300 miles south of the Rio Grande Valley, officials are monitoring the situation in order to respond to any issues that may come up with the increased rains, said Oscar Montoya, Hidalgo County emergency management coordinator.

“The emergency management office is prepared for all hazards all the time,” Montoya said. “For this event we are taking our normal precautions for water-related eventualities.”

Hidalgo County can expect some patches of heavy rain Thursday with some light to moderate winds, said meteorologist Gregg Flatt of the National Weather Service in Brownsville. As of late Wednesday, the storm was some 85 miles east of Tuxpan, Mexico, with winds about 60 miles an hour, and it was possible it could reach hurricane status before making landfall.

Parts of Hidalgo County could receive between 2 and 7 inches of rain from the system, Montoya said.

“At this point we don’t anticipate anything major,” Flatt said. “We might see some localized flooding in some areas.”

While the storm is not going to hit the RGV directly, Montoya is asking residents to conduct self-assessments of their preparedness. One of the main issues to consider is the fact that Arlene formed rather quickly and something similar could occur this season.

“We’re just at the beginning of hurricane season,” Montoya said. “This the time to make sure you check around your house for loose items that can fly, to make sure you have canned food, water, radios, batteries, etc.”

While residents should be ready to weather storms at home, Montoya said they also should have a plan in the event of an evacuation. This is especially important for residents who live in flood-prone areas.

One consideration: What happens to an elderly or sick family member if — despite high temperatures — a power outage knocks out the air conditioning?

“Now it’s the time to say, ‘If the storm was coming our way, were we ready?’” Montoya said. 

CAMERON COUNTY

Cameron County Parks System employees were making last-minute preparations at South Padre Island in case Tropical Storm Arlene brings flooding to the area.

Although Arlene is expected to make landfall along northeastern Mexico, tropical moisture from the storm has been making its way to southern Cameron County.

County workers Wednesday were removing trash barrels and county signs from the beaches in anticipation of flooding that could begin by tonight, officials said.

County Parks Director Javier Mendez said the waves were picking up at the Island and that officials Wednesday afternoon closed access to parts of Andy Bowie Park and Boca Chica Beach.

County Judge Carlos H. Cascos said he ordered the closures of beach accesses No. 5 and No. 6 and access to Boca Chica Beach due to high tides, rip currents and dangerous driving conditions. Access is to be closed until Thursday evening.

“I have asked our law enforcement authorities to ensure that no individuals or vehicles are allowed into these areas,” Cascos said in a news release. “It is very important that the public pay attention to our warnings and keep out of harm’s way.”

Flatt said the NWS was getting reports of water already reaching up to the dunes Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, a coastal flood advisory and a high surf advisory remain in effect through Friday morning for Cameron County.

Large swells from the gulf are expected to bring dangerous rip currents and tidal overflows, the NWS reports.

Some overnight flooding was expected at the beaches, and weather forecasters said some erosion could also occur as the waves push farther on the beaches.

Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the area Thursday and Friday.

Rain through Friday probably will range from 1 to 3 inches, with up to 5 inches in some parts of Cameron County, Flatt said.

While no widespread flooding is expected, there could be flooding of low-lying areas and on roadways, the NWS reports.

The gulf swells were expected to increase to 8 to 10 feet Wednesday and to remain at these heights Thursday.

The rip current risk was raised to “high risk” and will remain there through the holiday weekend.

In preparation for heavy rain, Cameron County and Brownsville city crews early this week were busy cleaning ditches and checking equipment needed to remove standing water.

County employees for the last several weeks had been preparing sandbags should there be a need for them. Also, pumps were being positioned near the Mariposa Ranch area near Harlingen, which received severe flooding last week.

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Laura B. Martinez writes for The Brownsville Herald.

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Ildefonso Ortiz covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4437.