Updated 8 p.m.: Shelter Locations
What's new:
>> Updated list of shelters in Hidalgo, Cameron Counties and Willacy Counties
>> Raymondville shelters will be combined at Raymondville High School
>> Willacy's Lyford High School Shelter is closed
EDINBURG -- Storm shelters are filling up, and officials are urging residents seeking shelter to head to the multipurpose center on 400 W. Veterans Blvd. in Palmview.
People began filling the disaster shelters around the county once the first rains began about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, said Cari Lambrecht, spokeswoman for Hidalgo County. As of this afternoon, more than 2,000 residents were in the shelters.
County leaders are anticipating widespread flooding across low-lying areas -- especially in older colonias and many areas south of U.S. Expressway 83, Lambrecht said.
"They know who they are and they are the people taking advantage of our shelters," Lambrecht said.
The following shelters are open in Hidalgo County.
>> Edcouch-Elsa (Garcia Elementary, FM 1015 & Santa Rosa Ave. This one is close to capacity, but a shelter is open at Carlos Truan Jr. High, Mile 17 and Yellowjacket Drive in Elsa. )
>> Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (Hanna High School, 2615 Price Road)
>> Mission (K. White Jr. High School 1101 W. Griffin Parkway)
>> Edinburg (Edinburg South Jr. High, 601 W. Freddy Gonzalez Dr.)
>> Edinburg (Garcia Elementary, FM 1015)
>> La Joya (La Joya High School, 604 N. Coyote Blvd.)
>> Palmview (Multi-Purpose Center, 400 W. Veterans Blvd.)
>> Pharr (PSJA North High School, 500 E. Nolana)
>> Pharr (Valley View Jr. High, 6 1/2 S. Jackson Road)
>> Mercedes (Taylor Elementary, 900 N. Missouri)
>> Alton Recreation Center (operated by the city): Reported full earlier Wednesday morning
>> Alton (Alton Memorial Junior High School, 521 S. Los Ebanos Blvd.)
>> McAllen (McAllen High School, 2021 La Vista)
>> McAllen (Memorial High School, 101 East Hackberry)
>> McAllen (DeLeon Middle School, 29st St. and 3 Mile Rd.)
>> McAllen (Salvation Army, 23rd and Pecan)
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the following shelters were open in Cameron County.
>> Brownsville (Hanna High School, 2615 Prince Road)
>> Brownsville (Porter High School, 3500 International Blvd.)
>> Brownsville (Pace High School, 314 Los Ebanos Blvd.)
>> Brownsville (Skinner Elementary School, 411 W. St. Charles St.)
>> San Benito (San Benito High School, 450 S. Oscar Williams Rd.)
>> Harlingen (Harlingen High School, 3132 W. Wilson Rd.)
>> Los Fresnos (St. Cecilia Church, 606 W. Wilson Rd.)
>> Rio Hondo (Rio Hondo High School, 215 W. Colorado St.)
>> Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa High School, 102 S. Main St.)
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the following shelters were open in Willacy County.
>> Lasara (Location reportedly the "Lasara School District." No address or other information available at this time)
Lambrecht said the shelter in Alton is at capacity, and local leaders are looking toward opening another in the Alton-Mission area later today. That shelter isn't sanctioned by the county, Lambrecht said, adding residents should seek cover elsewhere.
In San Benito, about 600 people took refuge in the local high school. The school can hold about 900 people, according to a city news release.
In Harlingen, flooding is already being reported in the Fair Park area, according to witnesses.
Response was sparse from the public when the county requested volunteers to help operate the shelters Tuesday, but Lambrecht said they have been operating smoothly so far.
Volunteers are still welcome and can call the Hidalgo County Emergency Operations Center at 383-6221 for more information.
People will be needed to help with the anticipated cleanup once Dolly finally passes through the area, Lambrecht said.
For more Hurricane Dolly updates, visit www.themonitor.com throughout the day.
