18,000 evacuated from flooded Mexico town

More than 18,000 people were evacuated from a town in northern Mexico that was flooded after hurricane Alex.

More than 18,000 people were evacuated from a town in northern Mexico that was flooded after authorities opened a dam's floodgates.

The gates had been opened for fear that the dam would overflow from rains that accompanied hurricane Alex.

Evacuees from Ciudad Anahuac, near the Texas border are now living in shelters in nearby towns and cities. About 4,000 people are residing in schools on higher ground.

Mayor Santos Garza Garcia said that soldiers plan to take food to those stranded near the town.

Authorities said that they are being careful about releasing water from dams into already swollen rivers. They stressed that controlled flooding is better than entire towns disappearing.