BEXARCOUNTY -- Will taxpayers be forking over millions to buy out homes that were flooded last month? Will flood victims be forced to move out of the Mission Espada area for good?
These are options Bexar County commissioners considered Tuesday afternoon in a public meeting.
But for one homeowner, selling is not an option. Celia Olivarez is pleading for county leaders to just fix her home and do more with drainage.
Within seconds on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, Olivarez said waters rose 20 feet. Her family narrowly escaped their home.
What we describe as a mini tsunami coming in, Olivarez said.
Her 88-year-old aunt also had to be rescued. For five generations, her family has lived at Mission Espada.
All we want is for our homes to be fixed, Olivarez said. And fix the river.
On Tuesday afternoon, Bexar County commissioners looked at creative options to relieve residents who suffered flooding Memorial Day weekend. One option includes a multi-million dollar San Antonio river expansion.
We've got to build capacity for that runoff water or we are going to have this happen over and over again, said Commissioner Tommy Adkisson.
Another option includes the county buying back their property and declaring the sight unlivable.
Commissioners also heard a recommendation to allow residents the choice of staying in the area, but swallowing the fact that it floods. An evacuation plan and flood sirens would be installed to warn residents of future floods.
Another option allowed residents to maintain ownership of their property but not actually live there. The county would also help pay for their relocation.
But for Olivarez, abandoning her family's home is not on the table. That's even though her home has been gutted by the storms.
Its been in the family for over 100 years, she said.
The proposals will affect 57 property owners. The court did not vote. Officials said there's no way of knowing how much all of this could end up costing taxpayers until appraisals are completed.
