Yes, you heard right, it's flooding in Laredo

[WolverineDG]

homes close to the river are being evacuated, Bridge I & the Columbia Bridge have been closed since yesterday, not sure when Bridge II will close. Bridge I is 37' high & the water is projected to rise to 38' today, with more rain on the way & all the dams upriver in the US & Mexico at capacity. The really bad pictures were taken near Bridge I at a park built in the flood plain, but if the water keeps coming up, downtown is going to get it.

http://www.pro8news.com/news/top-stories/Rio-Grande-Flood-Watch-Images-of-the-Rio-Grande-and-flooding-98002159.html?gallery=y&img=1&c=y

on edit: there are pics from Anahuac, just across the river in Mexico which is getting swamped, and at about picture 35, you can see what the area around Bridge I looked like yesterday.

dg

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. I read the Rio Grande was 40ft above flood stage

Is that correct? That's one massive flood. There's bound to be massive amounts of structural damage left in the wake of that amount of rushing water.

[WolverineDG]

2. Yup, and on it's way up

Amistad Reservoir is at 124% capacity. Falcon is rising quickly too. Don't have any numbers on the Mexican dams, but they'll have to release water at some point.

They are starting mandatory evacuations in parts of Laredo near the river. 2 hotels downtown have been evacuated & all the bridges are now closed.

With more rain on the way.

:scared:

dg

[sonias]

3. Stay safe dg

I know that that Rio Grande was already heavy with rains from Alex so more rain would bring floods.

My thoughts are with everyone along the border. The Rio Grande Valley is getting more rain too.

:hug:

[WolverineDG]

5. thanks sonia!

:hug:

well, Falcon at least has more capacity available. Amistad, though is at 124% according to something a friend sent me, so they'll have to release water at some point.

dg

[WolverineDG]

4. We made the NBC Nightly News!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38157122#38157122

There are homes on the south, west, & northwest sides of town that are flooded & those areas are under a mandatory evacuation. La Posada was evacuated earlier today as well. More rain is expected tonight, so I'm guessing more things will be closed tomorrow. They're still telling us that the water won't be shut off, but if the river comes up much further, they'll have to.

dg

[sonias]

6. When it rains...

The sad thing about all of this rain at once is that so many of these areas have been suffering a drought and needed rain. Mexico and Texas have been fighting over the water rights with respect to the Rio Grande and now they have more rain that they can deal with. It's too bad it's all come at once. :(

[WolverineDG]

7. yes, in that way it is a blessing

but i think we all could have done without the flooding

dg

[Ishoutandscream2]

8. Yep, It always seems to be feast or famine

[WolverineDG]

9. I love pics like this

dg

[sonias]

11. Until the water reaches the top of the sign

It's still low water. ;)

[rainbow4321]

10. Ugh..radar pic