Rio Grande overflow prompted animal rescue to prepare to evacuate

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Just steps away from the rushing waters of the Rio Grande, an El Paso-based animal rescue worried the overflow would be a repeat of the destructive Storm 2006.

Loretta Hyde founded the Animal Rescue League of El Paso. She said when the river overflowed back in 2006, it flooded her rescue like she's never seen. She called it a nightmare.

When Hyde saw the water rushing again, she went back to 2006. She started preparing to get 80 dogs and 75 cats out of the rescue. Thankfully, she didn't need to. If more rain comes, she's prepared.

"You can't wait till the last minute because that's that's going to get you in big trouble," Hyde said. "Anytime we get standing water, anytime the river overflows, you're always having some kind of preparation for an evacuation. It's just a given. You can't have a shelter and not be responsible to take care of these babies."