Presidio being evacuated

[Medic]

http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=9006578&nav=menu505_2

"Low-lying parts of Presidio have been evacuated due to rising flood waters in the area."

[Roy]

There's a thread in Boating on the Rio Grande about the situation.
The news story makes it sound like a 1 day event, hope that's true; and hope noone loses thir home, etc.  We've got enough of that on the coast.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

These pictures were taken last Tuesday. They are aerial photos of the Redford area. Redford is just a few mile downstream from Presidio.


Residence threatened by the rising water.


A view of the flood as you're flying towards Redford.

[mule ears]

These pictures were taken last Tuesday. They are aerial photos of the Redford area. Redford is just a few mile downstream from Presidio.

Ay Chi,
did you take those pictures?  Pretty amazing.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

Ay Chi,
did you take those pictures?  Pretty amazing.

No, I didn't take the pictures.  I hope it didn't look like I was taking credit. 

I had to make a phone call to find out, but I believe credit should be given to the Presidio County Sheriff's Department.

[Roy]

Thanks for the pics, Ay.  Gives some context to the term "flood plain".  Hope the flooding doesn't get any worse.

[Roy]

Sounds like the situation is going downhill:

http://www.caller.com/news/2008/sep/16/plane-carrying-us-mexican-officials-missing/

[emsprofessional]

My family and I chose to leave Sunday as it was obvious it was just a matter of time before the water actually hits Presidio.  Our house will probably be above the water when it happens but I saw no reason to stay and risk it.  Also even if it doesn't get to my house it will cause disruption of water and sewer. 

Here are a couple of updates:
http://www.cbs7.com/news/details.asp?ID=8311
Levee at International Bridge has Broken 9/16/08

CBS 7 Staff
September 16, 2008

The other concern in the Presidio area tonight is flooding.

Sources say the levee at Presidio's International Bridge has broken and border patrol officers have been pulled off for their safety.

The water is now just inches from spilling over and flooding the low-lying areas of the town.

Almost everyone from those areas has been evacuated and is with the Red Cross at the elementary school gym.

Officials say they are "holding their breath" right now anticipating severe flooding at any moment.


http://www.kwes.com/global/story.asp?s=9006578

UPDATE: Flood Waters Overtopping Levee Near Golf Course in Presidio

Posted: Sep 14, 2008 03:42 PM CDT

Updated: Sep 16, 2008 05:35 PM CDT

Staff Report
NewsWest 9

PRESIDIO - The Mayor of Presidio has informed NewsWest 9 that flood waters are beginning to overtop the levee near the golf course.

This after another levee breach on the Rio Grande flooded parts of Ojinaga, Mexico. The breach happened Monday night around 11:00 p.m. and forced some 300 people from their homes. The levee breach has also closed the international bridge between Ojinaga and Presidio.

In Presidio, low-lying parts of the town remain evacuated due to rising flood waters.

About 100 people spent Monday night at a Red Cross shelter at the Presidio Elementary.

The Odessa office of the American Red Cross has also arrived at the shelter to assist evacuees with anything that they may need.

Mexico has been releasing water from dams along the Rio Conchos for about a week now after severe flooding in that region.

FM 170 from Presidio to Lajitas remains closed due to flooding. The area has been inundated with water from water releases in Mexico and rainfall along the Rio Grande.

Officials also tell NewsWest 9 that they are trying to build an emergency road to the town of Redford which has been cut-off since Thursday due to heavy rains and flooding.

A hotline has been set up for residents seeking information. That number is (432) 229-3517.

[SA Bill]

I'm downstream in Laredo this week and they are predicting minor flooding today in areas by the river. Strange weather times we're having. 
  Bill

[homerboy2u]

I can't say that i miss the heat 

[mbent]

It's weird to see all this water out there! Yes, we are soooo fortunate right now for this cool air in Houston as our electricity has been out since Friday night and we just got power yesterday-went out again last night....back on today....at least we've had water...thank god it's been cool, otherwise, so many would be really suffering here w/no power. Does anyone KNOW if they found the missing plane w/Jake Brisbin aboard?? Haven't heard......flooding in Presidio? wow.

[Roy]

Plane was still missing as of 5 this afternoon, from reports I read.  There had been a report that it had been found with all on board dead, then was retracted.

[mbent]

I googled Jake Brisbin and the articles are saying they found the plane today?

[RichardM]

4 die in plane crash in Mexico
International Boundary and Water Commission chiefs among dead.

By Alicia A. Caldwell
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, September 18, 2008

PRESIDIO — The International Boundary and Water Commission said Wednesday that four people died when the plane they were riding in to check on flooding along the Rio Grande crashed.

The dead included the leaders of the U.S. and Mexican sections of the commission, Carlos Marin from El Paso and Arturo Herrera, of Ciudad Juбrez, Chihuahua. Also on board was Jake Brisbin Jr., executive director of the Rio Grande Council of Governments.

The chartered Cessna 421 was piloted by Matthew Peter Juneau, the commission said in a statement.

The U.S. Border Patrol said the wreckage of the plane was found Wednesday afternoon in a rugged section of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico.

...

[mbent]

Yes, it's very sad....