# Alligator freed after being trapped in Weslaco storm drain for over a month

**2 days 19 hours 42 minutes ago**  
Wednesday, March 12, 2025  
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## The Alligator's Story

A six-foot-long alligator that had been stuck in a Weslaco storm drain for over a month is finally free.

- An animal rescue crew worked to get the gator, "Stormy" out of the drain Wednesday afternoon.
- Stormy is now enjoying her new home at the South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary.

- Channel 5 News first told viewers about the trapped alligator on Tuesday. A spokesperson with the Texas Department of Transportation said the agency was first made aware of the gator on Feb. 7.
- **PREVIOUS STORY:** 

- The gator appeared stuck in the storm drain located off of International Boulevard and 18th Street. A metal grate over the drain that was welded in place was preventing people from helping.
- On Wednesday morning, a crowd showed up at the grate to look at the alligator, and to also feed it.
- Later, a welder arrived to undo the tacks that held the grate to the ground.

- The alligator then retreated into the drainage system, possibly annoyed by all the commotion from the public.
- By 2 p.m. Tuesday, a crew from the South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary arrived. Animal handlers were able to remove Stormy after a crew from the city of Weslaco lifted the grate.

- **_She doesn't look like she's underweight or anything like that, not too emaciated._**
- She didn't beat herself up too bad when she was coming out.

- The 6’2” alligator was pulled out of a drain that was not far from the Estero Llano Grande State Park, where alligators live.
- Reinbolt said since a lot of people came to feed Stormy, the alligator’s behavior has been altered to make her associate people with food.
- That can cause problems if she goes back into the wild.

- **She probably won't be going back to the wild, but she'll have a luxury suite for her back at the South Padre Island Birding Center and Alligator Sanctuary.**
- Reinbolt said since a lot of people came to feed Stormy, the alligator’s behavior has been altered to make her associate people with food.
- That can cause problems if she goes back into the wild.

- On Wednesday, channel 5 News also learned the city of Weslaco owns the right of way where the grate was located. The city took the lead to save Stormy.
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- Krista Cheramay with Weslaco Animal Control said.
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**
- **_There was an alligator in there that needed help, and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it._**

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