southsider2k5 Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Tex, is this anywhere near you? From the Trib PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico -- Torrential rains swelled a tributary of the Rio Grande 25 feet early Monday, causing a flash flood that inundated a Mexican border city, killing at least 31 people and forcing hundreds more into shelters. Floodwaters from the Escondido River had receded and rain eventually stopped, allowing President Vicente Fox to visit Piedras Negras, a border city of 200,000 people about 150 miles southwest of San Antonio, Texas. There was a threat of more downpours, however, and heavy, dark clouds loomed overhead. Emergency crews had recovered 31 bodies by late Monday, said Enrique Martinez, governor of Coahuila state, where Piedras Negras is located. Two of those killed were children, and more than half were elderly. Throughout the day, authorities said as many as 75 people had yet to be accounted for, but the governor said many of those originally reported missing had been located. Hundreds of people were left homeless, radio stations reported, and announcers read the names of people staying at shelters to help families find missing relatives. The heavy rains began Sunday and the downpours intensified around midnight, causing the river to overflow and flooding dozens of houses in a working-class area of tin-roof shacks in 15 minutes, city officials said. "Houses were completely swept away. Cars flipped over, some on top of each other," said Marcela Aguirre, spokeswoman for the city in Coahuila state. "There is no power, no gas, no water." State authorities estimated that floodwaters destroyed or severely damaged at least 500 homes and 300 cars. Mexico's Interior Department declared an emergency in the area, a declaration that releases federal funds to help the city rebuild. Local factories offered shelter to their workers, radio stations reported. The population of Piedras Negras has increased in recent years as residents from Mexico's interior arrived looking for factory work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 That is a couple hundred miles, two dams, and a corps of engineers flood control plain northwest of me. We have been through so many years of drought that any rain has the potential to be deadly. In some areas the ground is so dried out it effectivly acts like concrete. Very sad for the loss of life. Part of the problem is in these colonias the roads are so poor that after even a small rain, they are impassable. So people get trapped who cannot run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 So people get trapped who cannot run. Apparently can't swim either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Apparently can't swim either... I am going to hell for this one but if they could swim they would have been on the US side I am joking people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 6, 2004 Author Share Posted April 6, 2004 I am going to hell for this one but if they could swim they would have been on the US side I am joking people What is the old joke? Why don't the Mexicans do well in the Olympics? Because any Mexicans that can run, jump, or swim are in the US. Yes a really bad joke, but appropriate I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 I am going to hell for this one but if they could swim they would have been on the US side I am joking people Don't worry.. I'm going first for my comment. I'll hold the door for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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