Heavy rains impact much of Medina, Uvalde counties

PHOTO/Cathy Walton... The sign says it all on the morning of Thursday, July 16. Authorities closed US 90 west beginning in Sabinal due to high water and major highway damage between Sabinal and Knippa. The worst highway damage in the region occurred on FM 481 southwest of Uvalde, where the rampaging Nueces knocked down a section of the bridge crossing the river.

By Linda Perkins

Anvil Herald Reporter

The recent heavy rainfall that inundated portions of 28 Texas counties included most of Medina County and Uvalde County as well.

Medina County Judge Keith Lutz said, “Overall, Medina County fared very well through the rain event,” during which precipitation fell almost daily for seven consecutive days, concluding last Friday. 

“We had moderate flooding at the usual spots across the county,” he said.

Medina County Emergency Management Office (OEM) Coordinator Mark Chadwick checked on countywide rain amounts with the National Weather Service (NWS).

“The weather service said 14.33 inches fell on D’Hanis at one gauge, and radar estimated 15 to 20 inches as the high.”

Four vehicles drove into water, Chadwick said. All occupants were rescued, and there were no injuries or fatalities.

There were no reports of floodwaters rushing into homes or businesses, nor any reports of infrastructure damage.

PHOTO/Cathy Walton... A TxDOT employee (right) gauges the rising water at Seco Creek as it runs under US 90 west of D'Hanis on the afternoon of July 15.

According to Chadwick, a number of state and local entities assisted during the flooding. 

“At one point, along with all of our local personnel, we had three Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) game warden rescue boats and a game warden helicopter with a rescue swimmer on board, as well as three other rescue boats,” he said. 

“Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) also worked alongside our workers and volunteers.” 

Manning Medina County OEM operations with Chadwick were his team: William Lay, deputy EMC; Donald Ingram, Elwin Rozyskie and Medina County volunteers.

“I spent 75 hours,” Chadwick noted, “during operations managing flood response, movement of state resources, coordination of all local resources, volunteer radio operators, law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, county and city departments and more.

“The largest part of response no doubt was carried out by law enforcement, emergency staff (EMS and fire departments), local and area volunteers, according to Chadwick.

“We were as prepared as a jurisdiction can be with the work we’ve done in advance and the improvements to notifications.”

The City of Hondo and Medina County opened a shelter in the County Fair Hall to accommodate evacuees or those stranded when they could not return to their homes. 

“We opened the shelter,” said Chadwick, “and processed 10 people who immediately left to stay with family. The people were from homes where roads were impassable. No one stayed, not even overnight.”

On July 16 Medina County OEM posted the following on Facebook: “The City of Hondo and Medina County are closing the shelter located at the Fair Hall. We will continue to monitor conditions and be prepared if we need to open another shelter.” 

Chadwick commended the many responders, county and municipal employees and elected officials and volunteers working hard for the safety of the County.

“I fully recognize each and every one of them; and, for volunteers to step up like this shows the heart of our residents and their love for this county.”

“In Sabinal,” according to City of Sabinal Mayor Erik Gomez, “rainfall amounting to approximately 18 inches flooded city streets. 

“Due to poor drainage, floodwaters surrounded some houses, flooded others (including my home) and because pumps were overworked, sewage backed up into some residences.”

More than eight floodwater rescues had to be performed the mayor said. These, he noted, happened in the city’s outskirts.

Mayor Gomez commended state and local agencies and volunteers. Resources included Uvalde County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and EMS, an available shelter (if needed) and cots on standby. Included among the county resources was the Sabinal Volunteer Fire Department. 

National, state and local agencies that pitched in were the National Guard, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens and Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM). On behalf of TDEM, Nim Kidd, chief of Texas Division of Emergency Management, collaborated with Uvalde County and Sabinal. 

Mayor Gomez said other local entities that pitched included the Sabinal Ministerial Alliance and local churches, the Salvation Army, Uvalde Meat Market and Castroville’s Discover Church. 

Additionally the heavy rainfall in the Hill Country, specifically that which fell in Bandera County over the Medina River watershed, has served to make a big difference in the level at Medina Lake. The lake, which was just 5% full a week ago, has now climbed nearly 30 feet in the last 10 days to a level of 1,020 feet above sea level. It has made a 43-foot gain since a wave of rain in mid-June. While the level is a big improvement, Medina Lake still sits at under 30% capacity. 

The Edwards Aquifer has similarly shown a big increase, from a low of 624 feet in mid-June, to a level of 652 feet as of Wednesday.