EL PASO, Texas — Rain chances are picking up across the state, and for people in El Paso, the chances add to what’s already been a wet week.
The storms last week led to damage at a local food bank. Four days later, the food bank is still closed because of it.
Clean-up is underway at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank after a storm halted services. El Paso continues to see record levels of rain, but speaking with the crew at the food bank, this setback will not discourage them.
“Hunger is evil,” said El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Interim CEO Kris Yagel. “It’s one of the things that we’re up against, and just, it gets creative sometimes and finds a way to attack people that are doing good things. You have to roll with the punches.”
For Yagel, the latest hurdle to get food for people who need it has been the weather.
Last Thursday, a storm over El Paso caused enough damage to force the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank to shut down service for a few days.
Yagel says that a combination of a clogged roof drain and a short vent pipe caused significant water intrusion into the building.
“We can’t and typically don’t plan for emergencies like this because they don’t happen very often,” said Yagel. “So, when they do happen, though, it overwhelms our resources, and so now is the time where we have to replenish those.”
Fortunately, he said that the food bank didn’t lose any food supplies. He’s hoping the food bank will be reopened to the public on Tuesday.
Local first responders got a breather from the weather over the weekend, but with another wave of rain chances this week, they’re preparing for what may come.
“Everyone’s doing their own thing to prepare,” said El Paso Fire Department Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Matthew Hunter.
El Paso is under a flood watch this week. Rounds of rain are expected to reach West Texas and beyond as Hurricane Polo approaches Mexico.
“Avoid traveling if at all possible during this inclement weather,” said Hunter. “If you see pooled water anywhere in the roads, you don’t know how deep it is. And when we get these nasty storms, it’s best just to avoid any standing water in vehicles.”
Right now, El Paso Water says its sandbag sites will remain open through Sunday, and residents are encouraged to be prepared. There’s a limit of 10 sandbags per customer.