In an effort to prepare the community for hurricane season, emergency preparedness fairs are going on this week across Hidalgo County. The 10th annual Dare to Prepare fairs aim to assist residents in planning for weather-related emergencies.
To better reach the public, some of the fairs are in the evening and at larger and more convenient locations.
Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, who also serves as the county’s emergency management director, says Dare to Prepare provides tools and information for residents that will help them better prepare for disasters.
“As we have learned from last year’s severe flooding and the flooding we experienced in 2015, it is imperative for our county residents to be prepared before disaster strikes,” said Cortez. “It only takes one storm to change your life and community.”
The fairs are free and open to the public.
Fair locations and times are:
- Wednesday, May 22, 10 a.m. – noon — Precinct 1 Administration Building, 1902 Joe Stephens Ave., Ste. 101, Weslaco
- Thursday, May 23, 6-8 p.m. — Donna North High School – Cafeteria, 7250 Val Verde Road, Donna
- Friday, May 24, 10 a.m. – noon — South Tower Community Resource Center, 1429 S. Tower Road, Alamo
- Tuesday, May 28, 10 a.m. – noon — San Juan Community Resource Center, 509 E. Earling Road, San Juan
- Thursday, May 30, 6-8 p.m. — E.B. Guerra Elementary, 10010 N. Via Fernandez, Edinburg
- Friday, May 31, 10 a.m. – noon — Pueblo de Palmas, Proyecto Desarrollo Humano, 17617 Sabal Palm Drive, Peñitas
- Tuesday, June 4, 10 a.m. – noon — De Escandon Elementary, 1100 E. Trenton Road, Edinburg
Hidalgo County has not had a major hurricane in several years. However, severe rain storms have brought high winds and flooding that has caused catastrophic damage to homes and businesses. The most recent was the 500-year event that hit the county in June 2018.
Two keys to weather safety are to prepare for the risks and to act on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials, said Emergency Management Coordinator Ricardo Saldaña.