Rio Grande Valley Flood Damage Estimated At $100 Million

A preliminary assessment by the National Weather Service estimates the Rio Grande Valley sustained $100 million in damages as a result of flooding last week, Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes said Saturday at a multi-agency news conference here at city hall. At the first news conference since thunderstorms and showers ravaged the county with upward of 15 inches of water in four hours on Wednesday, county and local officials provided an update on their coordinated efforts, which will soon be focused on recovery. In Weslaco alone, a preliminary damage assessment by the city found 1,944 homes and about 97 businesses were flooded with more than 18 inches of water, according to city Emergency Manager Antonio Lopez.