These were the scenes on Saturday morning behind Elm Creek around Clavel Street as rescue crews worked diligently into the night attempting to render aid to residents who were not prepared to face the torrential rains of a huge system which lumbered through our area night before last.
Maverick County Sheriff personnel and Eagle Pass Fire Fighters worked through the night in the early morning hours of Saturday with boats and any special equipment they could muster until the US Border Patrol could assist as soon as the sun came up and came they did with helicopters and rescue vehicles which they incorporate when making rescues in the Rio Grande.
All this comes in the wake of nearly a foot of water fell on Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras from 9:00 P.M. until almost 5:00 A.M. accompanied by thunder and lightning. Vehicles got close to low water crossings trying to get to their homes and reversed out causing traffic jams in residential areas.
The road leading to the Seco Mines area was closed earlier in the day in this area and residents were advised to seek shelter elsewhere when it re-opened at 6:00 or 7:00 P.M. Many people returned to their homes despite warnings of more rain in the forecast.
Regional Emergency Operations out of San Antonio were instrumental in the rescue efforts and had inflatable rafts which they used to access victims. The images of rescue personnel pulling children from the rising flood waters are moving and they tell the story as the distress can be seen in the faces of those being rescued and the relief of reaching safety is also evident as residents informed The News Gram that two Sheriff's Deputies nearly drowned trying to get to them. Alicia Rodriguez and Gabriel Serrano were the brave deputies who risked their lives to get to flood victims and were unable to get through the rushing water.
A.J. Rodriguez and Eduardo Alvarez were in the midst of a rescue when a floating log hit their craft causing it to tip over and throwing the men into the rushing currents where they remained for an hour and a half clinging to trees and bushes in order to avoid being taken away and possibly drowning on Barrera Street in Seco Mines.
Highways 277, 57 and 481 were all closed.
The Eagle Pass Independent School District also aided with vehicles and personnel incorporating school buses to transport all victims to the International Center for Trade.
Marcos Velasquez reported that his two story home had three feet of water in it. Him and his family were rescued by the Eagle Pass Fire Department.
All these efforts were being monitored and coordinated by the Emergency Operations Center mentioned in our other accompanying story.
All elderly rescued were transported to Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center to be evaluated.
