SEBASTIAN - In Willacy County, there are more complaints from people living in Sebastian. The answers there are just as frustrating. The county's telling those folks Band-Aid fixes are all that's possible.
"To top it off, we can't use the rest room because we are underwater,” says Sebastian resident Margarito Garcia.
Garcia says his home’s bathroom pipes were underwater for three days after last week’s flood. His house is elevated, but that's not enough. When it rains in Sebastian, water rises quickly on this street.
"I love this town. I grew up here, but as far as the drainage, I mean, it's been years,” says Delia Llanos.
Garcia's sister says enough is enough. The home her brother lives in is the family home. They’ve seen too many floods to count. She says they’re worried when it rains.
“At night, especially keeping any eye out on the ditches," says Llanos.
People who live in Sebastian know keeping an eye on ditches is a sure way to tell if trouble is on the way. The ditches are almost overflowing once again after Thursday morning’s rain.
The cleanup from the last flood ended Wednesday. The last of the water pumped out. It cost about $3,000 to do the job, and it took days to complete. The county judge says the county is about to buy a motorized pump.
“Pumps will be set up to constantly pump water out. … And it's still a Band-Aid now, but a Band-Aid is better than nothing," says Willacy County Judge John Gonzalez Jr.
People like Garcia and his family are frustrated with these quick fixes.
"They should have fixed it years ago. They get funds and funds, fix a bit at a time and it's never finished," says Llanos.
The flooding brought mosquitoes and bad smells. They hope it’s over but know it won't be long until the next rainy day.
The Willacy County judge admits there is a major drainage problem in Sebastian. He says he's waiting on grant money to pay for a more permanent solution.
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