Juarez Neighborhoods Evacuated

EL PASO, TX- While emergency workers in El Paso rescued dozens of people from vehicles and homes, across the border in Mexico, flooding near the banks of the Rio Grande forced entire neighborhoods to evacuate.

Heavy rains caused the Rio Grande to overflow its banks on the Mexican side of the river forcing residentsof the Anapra neighborhood to evacuate and leave their homes behind to seek safety.

A retired Juarez paramedic helped rescue more than a dozen children from rising water. His home which sits on higher ground became a makeshift shelter.

One of the children at the paramedic’s home, Esquiel Avila, tells ABC-7 water rushed into his home quite rapidly.

Many families living in the low areas helped each other escape, while others stayed behind to protect their homes and salvage the few belongings that were not damaged by the floodwater.

Pastor Carlos Badillo turned his church into a refuge. He, along with volunteers hoped to convince those who stayed behind in the rising water to get out before it was too late.

Forecasters expect the rainto continue in the El Paso border area until Wednesday.