The Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 general manager updated the board on flood operations following a severe rain event, saying district crews ran continuous flood operations and managed gates and pumps to move water through the system.

The general manager said crews operated seven newly installed pumps from the 2018 bond project along with seven other permanent pumps and mobilized 12‑inch pumps inside the International Boundary and Water Commission perimeter. He said those newer pumps “fared very well” during the event and were operational when the district needed them.

The general manager told the district the recent investments — from district work, bond projects, funds from the Texas General Land Office (GLO), congressional earmarks and other sources — reduced the number of homes requiring emergency pumping compared with prior events. He said staff recorded about 23 inches at the Weslaco rain gauge for the period measured and that, while many areas were relieved quickly by gravity outfalls, some low‑lying eastern areas remain challenged.

The manager said district staff coordinated with the IBWC and sometimes opened or closed IBWC gates when IBWC personnel were not available to do so, and that the district requested and received assistance from the City of McAllen to help man overnight operations.

On projects and funding, the general manager said the district received notice from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) for two detention facility projects the district applied for: a Seminary regional detention facility (about $3,400,000) and a Weslaco regional detention facility (about $5,000,000). He said the TDEM notice asked the district to submit required paperwork and begin the process needed to manage those funds and to demonstrate readiness for the 25% local match. He said the district expects the grant funds would be reinvested in drainage projects through precinct allocations and bond funding.

The board discussed pumping strategy with commissioners: pumps are used primarily when gates are closed and gravity flow is not available, while open gates let gravity carry most flows. Commissioners thanked staff and neighboring precincts for sending additional trucks and manpower during the response.

Board members and staff reiterated that long‑term work remains, including additional pumps and channel widening under current bond programs and planned projects to intercept and move water out of the eastern areas that continue to experience ponding.