Cameron County, TX (KRGV) — Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 is preparing its drainage ditches ahead of heavy rain expected in the Rio Grande Valley.

Crews have spent the day grading and mowing the sides of drainage ditches. Workers were seen off Wilson Road near Stuart Place Road in Harlingen preparing one of many ditches across the area.

The drainage district said it is ready to hear from cities like Palm Valley, Combes, Primera and Harlingen whenever they need to pump water into the district's drainage ditches.

While cities are responsible for controlling flooding within their own limits, they rely on the drainage district to move water out.

"We'll start getting phone calls at night. We'll start getting phone calls at 3 or 4 in the morning from my colleagues," Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 General Manager Rolando Vela said. "I know the city of Harlingen and other communities have. They'll set up with the objective of trying to insure any water that's going into subdivisions they can move it into our drainage system."

Crews are also working to clear tires and appliances that are sometimes found inside the ditches.

The drainage district said the work will help improve water flow ahead of the rain.