EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A homeowner in El Paso’s Lower Valley said Thursday’s heavy rain sent water, sand and debris rushing onto her Texas Red Drive property, damaging her home and forcing her family to leave.
Ana Rodriguez said the runoff came from the hillside behind her home during a downpour that lasted about 30 to 40 minutes.
A car and patio furniture on the property were left partially buried under mud.
El Paso family is dealing with the aftermath as their home and vehicle were submerged in mud following the rainstorms. Texas Red Drive in Lower Valley. Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
“As soon as I closed the sliding door, I noticed all the water was coming over my rock wall, bringing sand and pieces of trees,” Rodriguez said. “That’s when I got scared.”
Rodriguez said she tried to keep water from moving farther into the home by placing towels, pillows and other items against the walls.
She said water still got inside, damaging floors, bedroom furniture and kitchen cabinets.
The family had to stay elsewhere after firefighters shut off power because of an electrical hazard, Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said she has also noticed a crack in the home and is concerned the rock wall behind the property could give way.
“All the sand is almost half the height of the house, and this is only one rain that happened in 30 or 40 minutes,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know how this house is going to end up.”
Rodriguez believes the sand came from unmaintained land behind her home.
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She said she has raised concerns about the area since 2015 and wants it cleared so water can safely move away from her property.
“It’s very easy to say, ‘It’s not my property, it’s not my problem,’” Rodriguez said. “Then whose problem is this besides me and my household? I feel my voice isn’t being heard.”
KFOX14 contacted Ysleta Independent School District about Rodriguez’s concerns.
The district said it spoke with Rodriguez Thursday morning and is reviewing the situation.
Why Ysleta ISD? That’s because the district confirmed the land behind the home is connected to the Blackie Chesher Escobar Soccer Fields.
El Paso family is dealing with the aftermath as their home and vehicle were submerged in mud following the rainstorms. Texas Red Drive in Lower Valley. Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
The district said it is reviewing property lines, a longstanding agreement with the City of El Paso, and drainage conditions to determine where the runoff came from and which entity, if any, may be responsible for addressing it.
The district said it has not determined that the reported damage was caused by a condition for which Ysleta ISD is responsible.
Rodriguez said her homeowners insurance told her it will not cover the damage because it came from outside the home. She said she is asking officials for help before another round of rain causes additional damage.
Ysleta ISD said it will continue working with the appropriate parties while it looks into the issue.
Below is Ysleta ISD’s full statement:
Ysleta ISD recently became aware of the homeowner’s current concerns regarding drainage and erosion near the Texas Red area. The district’s Risk Management personnel spoke with the homeowner [Friday] morning and are reviewing the matter. The area includes property associated with the Blackie Chesher Escobar Soccer Fields and is subject to a longstanding agreement between the City of El Paso and Ysleta ISD that addresses ownership, use, and maintenance responsibilities. The district is reviewing the relevant property boundaries, agreements, and drainage conditions to determine whether the reported runoff originates from district property and which entity, if any, is responsible for addressing the condition. At this time, the district has not determined the reported damage was caused by a condition for which Ysleta ISD is responsible. We are also reviewing our records regarding the homeowner’s statement that the issue has previously been reported to the district. Ysleta ISD will continue coordinating with the appropriate parties as the facts are confirmed.
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