Oso Creek in Corpus Christi overflows its banks on Thursday, July 8. The Coastal Bend remains under a flash flood warning until 7 p.m. Friday, July 9, according to the National Weather Service.
State readies resources to help with Corpus Christi flooding
State resources are at the ready as heavy rains threaten flash flooding in Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend on Thursday-Friday, July 8-9, and beyond. The rain is expected to continue for the next few days and has already resulted in sanitary sewer overflow as well as road closures across the area. A flash flood watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday.
"The State of Texas has placed several resources on standby to support the local response to this weather, and we are ready to provide additional support as needed to keep Texans safe,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement Thursday.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management called upon critical state rescue and maintenance support systems to assist when needed. Among the resources ready to serve are the Texas A&M Forest Service and Engineering Extension Service with saw crews and urban search-and-rescue packages, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boat teams, the Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Task Force, and the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Transportation are prepared to provide helicopters with hoist capability and high-profile vehicles with operators for rescue missions.
Street Closures
Flash flooding is the leading cause of water-related deaths in Texas. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 18-24 inches, depending on the height of your car, can sweep away a vehicle. Do not go around barricades; they are there for a reason, officials warn.
For a list of street closures in Corpus Christi, go to facebook.com/citygov.
Sanitary Sewer Overflow
Due to the increased rain over the past couple of days, an excess of water volume throughout the city’s wastewater pipelines has resulted in sewer overflow. As of Wednesday night, over 100,000 gallons are estimated to have washed into the streets. The appropriate officials at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have been contacted, and notifications are available at the city website. A way to help is to be patient and to stop flushing and close drains for as long as possible, officials said.
For Corpus Christi residents, water was and continues to be safe for all use, the city announced. Corpus Christi water customers may use water as they normally do. Public notices that relate to sanitary sewer overflows, sanitary spills, or sanitary backups are for wastewater situations only and do not affect the quality or daily use of the city’s public water system.
Postponements
Due to inclement weather, the Animal Care Services microchipping event for pets scheduled for July 8 has been postponed to Thursday, July 15, from 1-4:30 p.m. at 2626 Holly Road.
Animal Care Services encourages residents to keep themselves and their pets safe by staying off roadways during possible flood conditions.
