The city of Mercedes has an extra $2 million they will use to protect against future storms.

The Texas General Land Office awarded the city $2 million dollars in grants. The money will be split between two projects.

The first $1 million project will build a detention pond on the north side of Expressway 83 near the FEMA Dome.

The second project plans on building three new detention ponds south of the Expressway in between West 14th Street and the arroyo.

City leaders say these areas experienced heavy flooding in 2018 and 2019.

"They were severely affected during those rains, so these monies will go towards addressing those major issues we had," Mercedes Assistant City Manager Javier Ramirez said.

The three detention ponds on the Southside will cost about $3 million dollars.

The project cost is being split between Hidalgo County Precinct 1, the drainage district and the city.