Rio Grande City adopts local disaster declaration after weekend storms

The Rio Grande City Commission voted Monday to adopt a mayor's declaration of local disaster for severe weather, the presiding official said, following storms that caused broken windows, missing roofs and other damage across the city.

The declaration, introduced as agenda item 2(a), is intended to allow the mayor to sign a formal declaration and begin seeking assistance; the Chief said city personnel canvassed affected areas with TDEM and urged residents to use the iSTAT (and pSTAT) reporting apps to document damage. "So far, we had a total of 437 people using that app," the Chief said, adding that 340 of those users were from Rio Grande City and that several properties were categorized as destroyed.

The declaration matters because it is a procedural first step that can allow the city to request state or federal aid if the monetary damage threshold is met. The Chief told commissioners the threshold is a monetary amount but said he did not have that figure available in the meeting record. Commissioner Olivares emphasized that residents should report all damage, including minor impacts, so the city can compile totals for any assistance requests.

City officials described the most commonly reported damage as broken windows and missing roofs; the Chief said eight properties were categorized as destroyed. He said city crews and the public works department had begun a citywide cleanup and that the city coordinated canvassing with TDEM. "We encourage the residents to use the iSTAT and pSTAT," the Chief said, describing the apps as the primary way for residents to submit photos and estimates of damage.

The presiding official urged residents to document damages, keep repair estimates and avoid hazardous situations, citing tree limbs on power lines as an example. "Don't try to fix that yourself," the presiding official said, urging people to contact police or fire for assistance. A commissioner also asked that the meeting video and the app link be posted for easier community access.

The motion to adopt the declaration was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote; the presiding official stated, "Motion carries." The commission then moved to adjourn. The record shows officials urged residents to report damage through iSTAT and to contact city police or fire if immediate assistance is needed; the exact monetary threshold for state or federal aid was not specified in the meeting.

The city is continuing damage assessment and cleanup work and will pursue next steps for assistance as appropriate.