Rain Catches Some Off-Guard

By ABC-7 Reporter Veronique Masterson

El Paso, Texas – KVIA’s Stormtrackers have been monitoring the severe weather since last week. While many enjoy the change in weather, not everyone was ready for it.

UTEP student Alan Flores explained, “I guess I was under prepared, I wasn’t expecting the weather to be like this. I should have watched the news.”

“I love the rain except when I don’t have an umbrella,” said another student.

Not every one was caught off guard by the wind, rain and chilly temperatures. Many on campus had their umbrellas handy. One woman told ABC-7, “The cold’s not too bad, it’s just the wind. So, it’s a good thing I have a real sturdy one.”

No umbrella? No problem. One UTEP student made good use of a newspaper to keep dry.

Another student said, “I want summer to come and get my hoodies off and I’m ready for summer.”

Some are ready for warmer weather, while others are enjoying what we have. “It’s wonderful! Actually, I didn’t mind running through it. We need more weather like this,” a student said excitedly.

“I love the weather. It’s nice weather, but this is something extra.” A little extra wind in west El Paso toppled a 60-foot pine tree.

Homeowner Farhad Mohammadi said, “I called 911. The fire department, they came. They were real nice and they said there is no immediate danger because of the wall.”

But the rock wall is cracking. “I don’t know if this wall collapses, what’s going to happen.”

The tree also landed on a neighbor’s roof. Luckily, there’s no damage inside.

Still, both homeowners would like to have the tree removed as soon as possible. “I hope as soon as possible. That’s why I told my insurance it’s an emergency, but it seems they’re not in a hurry,” said Mohammadi.

Mohammadi expects the damage to cost at least $3,000 to $5,000.