Reality Sets in for Sonora Residents Who Lost Homes in Flood

SONORA, TX -- Sonora residents who lost everything in last week’s flooding are now beginning to realize how long and difficult it is going to be to cleanup and restore their lives.  Sutton County Judge Steve Smith said in an interview Thursday morning that counselors are arriving to help residents cope with the loss.

“The Mexican Consulate in Del Rio is sending representatives Thursday to help with citizens of Mexico who live in Sonora and lost their homes.”  Judge Smith said. “Counselors are coming in who speak Spanish because most of our residents whose homes were damaged are Hispanic. In fact, we had a few meetings Wednesday in Spanish and translated the information into English.”

There were over 250 homes in Sonora that had flood damage and many of the displaced residents are in local hotels.  “The trailers with flood damage are gone.” said Smith. The judge said they spent three hours Wednesday evening going over the figures tabulating the amount of damage for the disaster declaration from the Governor’s office.  Smith said they will submit the request to Governor Greg Abbott’s office today. “I don’t think we’ll have a problem getting the disaster declaration approved.” Smith said.

The American Red Cross processed 161 damage claims on Wednesday according to Smith.  “There are USDA low interest loans available for those who lost everything.” Smith said.  The Red Cross is giving out debit cards with varying amounts depending on the number of residents in a home.  “The San Angelo Area Foundation will do something similar so 100 percent of donations to that account will go to the folks who need it.” Smith said.    

The Texas Baptist Men are in Sonora cleaning out houses.  Smith says that they are working with churches to adopt families whose homes were destroyed.  

“The people are so grateful for the thoughts and prayers, just to know that there are others out there who care.”  Smith said. There is a list of needed items on the Sonora Flood Relief Facebook page that changes daily. Smith says they are expecting 18-wheelers to arrive from East Texas today with new clothes for children and food, but the need is still there for the items on the list.  "Our Civic Center looks like a Dollar Store."  Smith said.  

“Twenty military members from Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio came up Wednesday and helped out with loading and unloading trucks.”  said Smith.

The devastating flooding began Friday morning as a cold front and moisture from the remnants of a Pacific tropical system collided over West Texas dumping heavy rainfall over vast areas of the center of the state.  The slow moving line of thunderstorms seemed to stall out over Sutton County deluging the normally dry watershed of the Dry Devils River. The rain fell on already saturated ground and had only one place to go; down the riverbed through Sonora.  

Hundreds of homes and businesses had several feet of water and mud inside them as widespread flooding ran down the Dry Devil’s River through the center of Sonora situated on Interstate 10 and U.S. 277.  The flood waters ran from the north to south submerging the golf course at the north end of town following the Dry Devils River bed as it winds south through businesses and neighborhoods. Homes and businesses on either side of the rain-swollen river rapidly filled with water as the raging torrent pushed down signs and power poles and tore up pavement at low water crossings through town.