San Benito declares disaster after severe April storm; officials push residents to file TDEM iSTAT reports

The San Benito City Commission on April 1 approved an order declaring a local state of disaster after an intense rain event that officials said dropped far more rain than forecast and caused widespread flooding.

The declaration (Order 2025-0401) passed by motion during the April 1 meeting; Mayor Paul Tim Galvan moved to approve and Commissioner Morales seconded the motion. The commission also approved ratification of expenditures related to towing and relocation of vehicles stranded during the storm.

City and emergency officials told the commission the storm delivered far more rain than forecast and that rescue and shelter operations were carried out overnight. “We never imagined it was gonna be 18 to 20 inches,” San Benito Police Chief Mario Pereira said, describing models that had forecast far smaller amounts and noting the storm “caught everybody by surprise.” Pereira and other staff described large-scale street and subdivision flooding, multiple rescues and an emergency shelter opened at the AEP building.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said thorough documentation of residential damage will be essential to qualify for state or federal disaster assistance. Officials urged residents to use the Texas Division of Emergency…