Presidio evacuated

PRESIDIO About 500 people who live in low-lying areas of Presidio were ordered to evacuate their homes Sunday as local officials expressed growing concern over whether their levee could continue to hold back the rain-swollen Rio Grande.

Truckloads of sandbags were placed at the bottom of the levee last week, but because of flood conditions in Mexico, officials there are releasing water from dams along the Rio Conchos in the state of Chihuahua.

Presidio County Judge Jerry C. Agan told The Associated Press that the International Boundary and Water Commission informed local officials that more water is being released now than the levee can hold.

"The water hasn't gotten here yet, but the water will get here tonight and tomorrow," Agan said Sunday afternoon. "When the International Boundary and Water Commission informed the mayor of that, we couldn't guarantee the integrity of the levee system, and he made the decision to evacuate the low-lying areas."

It's the first time that concerns over the levee have prompted an evacuation, Agan said.

Law-enforcement officials went door to door Sunday, warning residents to leave. About 40 took shelter at an elementary school. Others were able to stay with relatives and friends.

"We tell them we can't guarantee their safety," Agan said. "If they want to stay in their house, we're not going to force them to leave."

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings Sunday for the Rio Grande, noting that recent level rises have resulted from a water release from the Luis Leon Reservoir in Mexico. The weather service said major flooding will continue through the week.

About 6 p.m. Sunday, the Rio Grande below the Rio Conchos was at 20 feet and was expected to exceed 22 feet by Tuesday evening. The river is considered in minor flood stage at 9 feet and was at major flood stage at 16 feet.

Meanwhile, heavy rain fell in Presidio where the Rio Grande was at 24.72 feet and rising late Sunday night. The National Weather Service in Midland said the river was forecast to reach 28.5 feet by Friday, topping the record of 25.8 feet set in 1978.

The Rio Grande near Boquillas in Brewster County was at 22.6 feet late Sunday and was expected to steadily rise to near 33 feet by Friday, well above the record flood stage of 25.5 feet.

The flood control system in Presidio, which is in a rural area, is built for a 25-year flood, said Sally Spener, a spokeswoman for the United States section of the International Boundary and Water Commission.

"There is concern about how much more the system can take," Spener said. "It's not going to be over for a while, because there's still a lot of water coming down the Conchos river. It's not like it's going to peak tomorrow and that's going to be that. There will be water coming for days, certainly."

Meanwhile, 38 families who live in Redford, about 25 miles from Presidio, were isolated Sunday because of washed-out roads and flooded arroyos. The community was stocked with supplies and remained in contact with county officials, Agan said.

NEED HELP?

According to a National Weather Service bulletin, a mandatory evacuation was declared Sunday for the city of Presidio and began at 4 p.m.

Mayor Lorenzo Hernandez and County Judge Jerry Agan made the decision after information was received that the Rio Grande water levels were expected to rise to a critical level within 24 to 30 hours due primarily to reservoirs being released along the Rio Conchos in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Federal, state, county, and city officials plan to assist those needing evacuation to the Presidio Elementary and Presidio Activity Center.

Presidio residents in need of assistance are urged to call 432-229-3517 for assistance.