Mid-Valley hurricane update

MERCEDES - Tony Anderson's one mission Thursday morning was to get to his mother in Harlingen.

"I just want to make sure she's chill," he said while standing along Expressway 83. "My plan was to bring her back (with me)."

Anderson and dozens of motorists trying to get to the east end of the Rio Grande Valley were turned back because flooded construction zones couldn't be passed.

Along the expressway from Pharr to Mercedes, flooding left motorists on the frontage road with few options; a number of intersections also were flooded.

Around 1 p.m., road crews blocked off the eastbound lanes at the FM 1015 exit ramp in Weslaco.

Much of Mercedes was submerged in water. The property in front of the South Texas High School for Health Professions building was covered with water. Along Mile 2 East, near the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets, almost a dozen homes were surrounded by water.

Emergency crews, including fire engines, were at a street near the neighborhood, attempting to reach any stranded residents. It was unclear whether anyone was in the area.

In the construction zone at the Hidalgo and Cameron county line, water left a number of motorists stranded. More than a foot of water was collected in that area.

A number of vehicles, including half a dozen 18-wheelers, tried to move east through the flooded roadway near Mile 3 East. Emergency responders later directed most drivers back west; only the 18-wheeler trucks passed through.

One responder from Austin attempted to block off the area with orange construction roadblock cones, but after he left a new wave of drivers went through the area. Many of those cars later turned back and headed west on the eastbound traffic lane.

Motorists were cautioned to not travel through flooded areas if they were in low vehicles.

Residents from Harlingen, Los Fresnos, Brownsville and Port Isabel said they were trying to get back to assess the damage to their homes. Others were trying to get from Hidalgo County to La Feria and Port Isabel to work.

Anderson, of Harlingen, stayed in Edinburg for Hurricane Dolly while his mother stayed behind in Harlingen. At 9 a.m. Thursday, Anderson tried to get to his mother.

"People are coming back (west) this way," he said. "Fortunately, they're stopping because they saw traffic."

At least five Farmers Insurance agents, in separate vehicles, tried to drive east, but returned to the westbound traffic lanes. While a number of motorists tried to go to Cameron County, just as many turned around, using either the eastbound lane or by turning around in an open construction area to go west.

Anderson said his mother had no power like most of Harlingen and he only wanted to ensure that she was OK.

"The city is basically dead," he said of Harlingen. "There's got to be a way there. You have to know where the road is; it's crazy."

A Houston man who declined to give his name was trying to catch a flight home at Valley International Airport, but couldn't find a way through the flooded areas. Along Business Highway 83, the man said police were directing motorists away from the area. Dispatchers for Mercedes police said some areas of Business 83 were flooded, while others were fine.

The Houston man said he was frustrated with zero presence from police or any emergency responders.

"This was only a small hurricane and we can't get through," the man said. "The street design is bad."

Waiting motorists helped the man get a flight from McAllen's Miller International Airport.

Anderson watched as drivers zoomed by to inch toward the flooded expressway.

"My Scion is sturdy, but it don't float," he said of his car. " But I flat out ain't givin' up."

There was little to no traffic on the westbound side of the expressway coming from Cameron County. Only a few trucks and 18-wheelers made their way beyond the flooded area.

"The trick is you go slow and you don't stop," Anderson said. "If you stop, it's a wrap."

Anderson left shortly thereafter, trying Business 83. He said that if he couldn't go through, he would head back to Edinburg.

Deoncia Camacho was headed home to Port Isabel when she reached near Mile 3 East.

"We don't know what's going on over there," Camacho said of her home.

Staying with her daughter in McAllen, Camacho said she hadn't heard from neighbors about any damage in her area.

"We're just going to check on our house to see what damage there is," she said. "We have no idea what's going on."