Harlingen commissioners back exploring a Rio Grande Valley watershed flood-control district after residents press for regional plan

Harlingen commissioners on Tuesday agreed to pursue a coordinated, regional approach to recurring flood damage after residents and a local advocacy group urged creation of a Rio Grande Valley watershed flood-control district.

Residents and the Rio Grande Valley Coalition of Drainage Advocates told the City Commission Harlingen’s repeated flood losses require a response beyond single-district or city-only projects. “We are tired of the flooding and tired of dealing with, the repeated flooding in the area,” coalition representative Miss Garcia told the commission, adding the group includes “repeat flood victims, business owners” and volunteer scientific advisers.

The commission’s vote does not create a new taxing or governing body. Instead the panel directed staff to merge two draft resolutions — one that expresses support for exploring a regional flood-control district concept and a second that adds concrete steps and timelines — and to work with drainage districts, the city’s floodplain manager and county partners to present an implementation timeline.…