CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As the potential threat of flooding looms over the city and its surrounding communities, crews prepaed North Beach for the onslaught of rain expected from Tropical Depression No. 8 on Friday.
City of Corpus Christi Assistant Public Works Director Rolando Mata is leading much of that effort.
“Because we’re so flat-lined, and close to the ocean elevations, we need to make sure that our channels have a capacity and have the ability to maintain good runoff during a heavy storm event,” he said.
The city has also taken measures to help locals by handing out sandbags at the Public Works Stockpile near Holly Road and Civitan Drive. The distribution started on Thursday and is set to continue today from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City of Kingsville Public Works crews will distribute sandbags beginning at 9 a.m. Friday at the Kingsville Sanitation Department, 1300 E. Corral Ave. Proof of residency will be required and each household is limited to nine bags.
Please take only what you need. Also, self-serve sand will be available at the Trash Off location along Avenue B and Sixth Street. You must bring your own bags and shovels. Sand will be available beginning at 8 a.m. with distribution continuing until the supply is gone.
And in Brooks County, sand bags will be available next to the City's Public Works on St. Mary's Street beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday. Due to a shortage of workers, sand and bags will be place in the yard. Citizens are welcomed to fill bags as needed.
Palace Beachwear & Gifts Manager Julian Galvan said that North Beach is often plagued with flooding. Even though the business is elevated, he’s thankful for the effort — especially since parking still remains at ground level.
In addition to cleaning storm drains in areas that are prone to flooding, Mata said the city is readying a pump station to operate 24 hours a day.
Mata, recalling on his experience working within the stormwater and streets departments for the city of San Antonio, said even though one can never be “all-the-time ready, it’s important to take advantage of resources during the threat of severe weather."
“It’s the same effort,” he said. “We have to be ready for any kind of storm events, and anything that goes on. … We have to be ready, and we also have to make sure that our community is ready for any kind of events.”
Beginning Friday at 6 p.m., Corpus Christi will have 24-hour operations for city services, including a customer call center that will be taking calls of all types. Its phone number is (361) 826-CITY. (2489)
