Laredo Issues Voluntary Evacuation Order

LAREDO, Texas (AP) _ Laredo officials have made calls to 3,000 homes, urging the residents to leave before the Rio Grande crests there.

City spokeswoman Xochitl Mora says a shelter will be opened at the civic center, and residents in low-lying areas are being asked to move before the river crests in downtown late Thursday. Predicted rains could worsen conditions because the rain-swollen river and water releases from the International Amistad Reservoir upstream won’t allow the storm runoff system to drain properly.

Laredo’s downtown bridge is closed. That bridge and one on the northwestern edge near Colombia, Mexico, could be topped by the swollen Rio Grande Thursday.

Two other bridges, including the busy commercial World Trade International Bridge, should remain open.

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