By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com
San Benito, as did many parts of the Valley, saw unexpected rainfall on Sunday, Sept. 15 which resulted in flash flooding of various streets within the city. As a result of the flooding, San Benito City Manager, Fred Sandoval, made a public statement with a press release on the city’s official Facebook account.
According to the release, San Benito saw about five-and-a-half inches of rain which caused flooding, impacting infrastructure like roadways and residential buildings.
The release continued to state that the city began its emergency response “immediately” after it received warnings from the National Weather Service by deploying multiple response teams to manage the situation.
“We experienced an extraordinary event, but thanks to our dedicated staff and emergency response plan, we were able to respond swiftly,” stated the Mayor of San Benito, Ricardo “Rick” Guerra. “We prioritized the safety of our citizens while ensuring that critical infrastructure remained functional”
The release explained that while the city’s drainage system was equipped for regular and above-average rain, the rainfall was “overwhelming,” adding that city crews and the city’s engineering department continue to monitor the storm drains.
“The City of San Benito continues to invest in long-term infrastructure improvements and drainage systems upgrades to better prepare for extreme weather conditions in the future,” stated Sandoval.
The public expressed their dismay at the situation, some sharing firsthand videos and photos of the streets dominated by water. Many residents used canoes and other small boats to get around the city. Many reported their living spaces flooding.
“Just some heavy rain, imagine a hurricane. San Benito won’t make it” said citizen NG Peña.
“Funny how this whole apartment complex was under water, knee high and my car messed up, I’m disabled and how am I supposed to get my car fixed?” said citizen Veronica Villarreal.
The weather is slated to fluctuate from sunny to mildly cloudy with minimal rain, according to the weather channel. However, it is subject to change. Hurricane season is still ongoing. It lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30. A live hurricane tracker can be found on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.
Citizens who want more information can contact Sandoval at (956) 361-3800 or by email at fsandoval@cityofsanbenito.com. Updates and notifications will be released on the city’s Facebook page and website.
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