Laredo officials report no deaths, call for federal studies after flood-displaced border buoys

City of Laredo officials told the council they avoided loss of life and major bridge damage during the July river flooding, but residents and staff urged deeper study of floating border buoys after hundreds were dislodged and carried downstream.

At an after-action briefing, emergency-management staff described a five‑day operation involving more than 250 local, state and federal personnel to monitor river levels, protect water-treatment plants and keep commerce moving through alternate bridges. “Over a 5 day operational period, the city coordinated with over 250 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies,” an emergency-management official said during the presentation.

Bridge and port staff estimated direct losses of roughly $77,000 in local revenue plus $85,000 when payroll, materials and contractual services are counted, and described contingency measures used to reroute traffic through the Colombia Bridge. A bridge‑department official summarized the department’s rapid response and inspections and said structural checks showed no lasting bridge damage.

Public commenters pressed the council for an environmental assessment of federal bollard-and‑buoy systems proposed along the Rio Grande. Edgar Villasenor, who spoke during public comment, described published buoy dimensions and the hazard they pose when dislodged: “About 200 buoys were dislodged with just this moderate flooding, and they flowed downstream … creating a threat to our public safety and forcing our international bridges to shut down,” Villasenor said. He asked the city to require federal environmental and sedimentation studies before more buoys are installed.

Council members moved item 162, a resolution asking for studies and a stronger city position in federal negotiations; legal staff advised parts of the discussion involve ongoing negotiations and potential litigation, and the council agreed to direct staff to draft a resolution and meet in executive session with counsel.

Next steps: city staff said they will continue coordination with regional partners and seek engineering and environmental analyses of proposed federal infrastructure; council directed management to bring a draft resolution back for formal action.