Storm debris remains as heavier rain forecast for Houston

HOUSTON — The threat of heavy rain from potential Tropical Cyclone System 1 has many Houston residents worried as remaining storm debris clogs drainage.

“We’re really worried when it starts raining, we’re traumatized. I tell my kids we have PTSD,” said resident Joanne De La Garza.

De La Garza lives in Houston’s East End. She said she felt like cleanup crews forgot about them because debris had been piling up on their street for weeks.

“I haven’t seen any in this whole neighborhood. I haven’t seen anyone picking up debris outside of this neighborhood,” she said.

They fear this debris could eventually cause flooding.

Robert Patterson lives in north Houston and his neighborhood still has a lot to recover.

“We’ve always been concerned about how the ditches might get clogged if it rains that much, if we get a lot of water,” he said.

The city of Houston said it had 200 to 250 trucks and trailers in addition to 150 city workers who were picking up debris seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset.

“It’s unacceptable. Anyone who has debris is unacceptable. It’s a top priority,” Mayor John Whitmire said.

The city says it is tracking the storm’s path. They started in the Timbergrove area and tried to reach out to all communities.

They know they will have to redouble their efforts.

However, many people remain worried about the coming rain.

The city said it collected 1.2 million cubic yards of debris, about half of the filled NRG Stadium.

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