Grapefruit Heritage and Rain That Arrives All at Once
Mission has called itself the Home of the Ruby Red grapefruit since 1921. Today the city, about 141 feet above sea level, runs from McAllen on the east to Palmview on the west and down to the Rio Grande on the south.
Rain in Hidalgo County averages only about 23 inches a year, so dry weather is the norm. But when tropical moisture stalls over the western Valley, flat ground and drainage ditches can be overwhelmed in hours. That pattern, more than the river, is behind most flood cleanup in Mission.
June 2018: More Than 18 Inches Near Mission
In the Great June Flood of 2018, a rain gauge 4.3 miles west-southwest of Mission recorded 18.31 inches between June 18 and 22. Ground already soaked by 3 to 6 inches of rain before dawn on June 20 had nowhere to put more, and the NWS estimated at least 2,700 homes and businesses flooded across many neighborhoods in Mission and McAllen.
Roads closed all over town. North Stewart Road was shut between 495 and Business 83, Business 83 closed between Holland Road and Los Ebanos Road, and water covered the frontage road near Bryan Road.
Two years later, Hurricane Hanna's rainbands put Mission, McAllen and Weslaco under flash flood emergencies in July 2020. Hanna brought up to 18 inches of rain in isolated parts of South Texas, and about 194,000 Valley residents lost power.
Garages, Slabs and Where Floodwater Goes First
Rainwater tends to enter a house at its lowest point. In many Mission homes, that is the attached garage or a back door at patio level. From there it spreads across slab floors under carpet, laminate and baseboards, and drywall starts wicking it upward.
- Move vehicles, boxes and stored chemicals out of a flooded garage only when the water has receded and it is safe.
- Floodwater should be treated as Category 3 because it can carry sewage, fertilizers and debris.
- Laminate and engineered wood often trap water underneath, even when the surface looks dry.
Fast flood cleanup keeps the damage from creeping deeper into walls and cabinets.
Checking Your Street's Drainage Before the Next Storm
Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 manages the county's master drainage system, the network of ditches and channels that carries stormwater away from Mission neighborhoods. Its website offers a floodzone map dashboard where you can look up your area, and FEMA flood maps are available for any address.
A few habits help, too. Keep gutters and yard drains clear, slope soil away from the slab, and store valuables off the garage floor. If you notice a blocked ditch or storm drain near your home, report it to the City of Mission through its 311 / Report a Concern tool so it can be cleared before heavy rain returns.
Your First Moves After Water Gets In
- Stay off flooded roads. Business 83, Stewart Road and other routes have closed for flooding before. Turn around if water covers the road.
- Shut off what you can. Close the main water valve for a plumbing leak. Leave electrical panels alone if the area around them is wet.
- Photograph everything. Get wide shots and close-ups, including the waterline and the source.
- Ventilate if it's safe. Open windows when the air outside is drier, and keep doors to unaffected rooms closed.
- Call a professional. Phone (888) 817-5061 to be connected with a local company that provides emergency water removal.
If a home sits empty for part of the year, ask a neighbor to check on it after big storms or freezes. Mission's 2020 Census count showed 16.9% of housing units vacant, and leaks in an empty house can run for days before anyone notices.
How Mission Properties Get Dried and Rebuilt
Water damage restoration in Mission generally moves through four phases:
- Extraction: pumps and extractors remove standing water from garages, floors and carpet.
- Demolition of wet materials: after floodwater, the bottom section of drywall, insulation and carpet pad are usually cut out and bagged.
- Drying: dehumidifiers and air movers run with daily moisture readings until materials reach dry goals. Read more about structural drying.
- Reconstruction: water damage repair replaces drywall, trim and flooring.
Any restoration company you consider should be able to tell you about its licensing, insurance and crew training (IICRC certification, for instance).
Storm Wind and the Occasional Deep Freeze
Mission is about 50 miles from the Gulf, yet Hurricane Beulah in 1967 still produced gusts above 100 mph here and badly hurt the Valley's Ruby Red citrus crop. Roof and window damage from storms like that lets rain into attics and walls. Storm damage cleanup usually begins with tarping before drying starts.
Freezes are uncommon, but February 2021 brought the first widespread killing freeze to the Valley since December 1989, along with water main and pipe bursts. Protect exposed plumbing when a hard freeze is forecast.
Mold Rules and Insurance Basics for Mission Owners
EPA guidance notes mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials, which makes prompt drying important after any Mission flood. Texas regulates mold work through TDLR. A license is generally required for mold areas of 25 contiguous square feet or more, assessment and remediation on one project must be done by different people or companies, and a Certificate of Mold Remediation must be issued within 10 days. Visit our mold removal page for details.
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood. Rain flooding is usually covered by an NFIP or private flood policy, and new NFIP policies typically wait 30 days before taking effect. The Texas Attorney General says most Texas homeowner policies cover only sudden and accidental leaks and may exclude or cap mold remediation. Report losses quickly and keep every photo and drying record.
Homeowners, landlords and business owners can call (888) 817-5061 any time to be connected with a local restoration provider.
Mission Areas and Western Hidalgo County Neighbors
WaterQ's free referral line connects callers across Mission and the surrounding western Valley with independent local restoration companies.
Neighborhoods
- Downtown Mission
- Sharyland area
- Business 83 corridor
- N Stewart Road area
- Bryan Road area
- Los Ebanos Road area
Nearby communities
Mission Water Damage FAQ
How much rain fell near Mission in the June 2018 flood?
A gauge 4.3 miles west-southwest of Mission recorded 18.31 inches from June 18 to 22, 2018. The National Weather Service estimated at least 2,700 homes and businesses flooded in Mission and McAllen.
Water came into my garage. Is the rest of the house affected?
Possibly. Water that enters through a garage often travels under interior doors and baseboards onto slab floors. A moisture meter can show whether walls and flooring in adjoining rooms are wet.
Does a Mission home near the Rio Grande face the most flood risk?
Not necessarily. Recent flooding in Mission came mainly from intense rain overwhelming streets and drainage ditches, which can happen well away from the river.
Is a license required for mold removal in Mission?
Texas requires TDLR licensing for mold assessment and remediation, generally for areas of 25 contiguous square feet or more. The assessor and remediator must be different people or companies.
How does calling WaterQ work?
WaterQ is a free referral service. When you call, you are connected with an independent, local restoration company that serves Mission. The line is available 24/7.
Local emergency and flood resources
Official sources for alerts, flood maps and preparedness in and around Mission: