10 years ago Storm 2006 damaged hundreds of homes, caused hundreds of millions in damage

The water utility estimates Storm 2006 caused more than $200 million in damage to homes and businesses and more than $100 million in damage to the city’s stormwater system.

The storms hit El Paso County Thursday July 27, 2006. Two weeks after the storm, city and county officials estimated the county had received 15 inches of rain within that period. At the time, that was twice the average annual rainfall.

Two weeks after the storm, the city estimated the storm caused $21 million in damage to public infrastructure, $77 million in damage to residential and commercial properties, and $3.5 million in damage to the flood control system and the Greater El Paso Landfill.

766 homes sustained minor flood damage, 455 homes sustained major damage, and 295 homes were destroyed, according to the city. The storm also damaged 100 roads.

The city set up a call center for home and business owners to report damage. Two weeks after the storm, the call center received 3,700 calls, the city said.