News · Rules & filings
Laredo Flooding: Roads Hit, Cargo Bridges Still Open
Laredo flooding put water on I-35 and Loop 20 Thursday as a flood watch calls for 3 to 6 inches of rain. What truckers crossing the bridges should do.
Questions about how this affects your trucks? Talk to a licensed agent who ran his own authority.
What happened
Laredo flooding hit north Laredo roads on Thursday morning, Oct. 1. KGNS reported high water on I-35 northbound near Ross Khaledi. It also reported high water on Bob Bullock Loop northbound, between Shiloh Drive and McPherson Road, and flooding on Loop 20 just north of Shiloh.
Traffic lights were out at Bob Bullock Loop and Jacaman Road. Emergency crews were watching the roads.
More rain is coming. Webb County is under a flood watch. Forecasters expect 3 to 6 inches over the next few days. Some spots could get 8 to 10 inches.
The city moved its emergency center from Level 4, which is normal, to Level 3. That means more crews and more readiness. Extra rescue teams, boats and tankers are in place. The mayor said he is ready to declare a local disaster if needed. The city is also talking directly with Nuevo Laredo about river levels.
The cargo bridges were open. At 9 AM, CBP showed about 45 minutes for standard commercial lanes at the World Trade Bridge, with 15 lanes open. FAST lanes there showed about 15 minutes. Colombia Solidarity showed about 5 minutes.
What it means for owner-operators
Laredo is the busiest truck crossing on the border. Most of that freight moves on I-35, Loop 20 and Mines Road. When water covers those roads, trips to the bridges and the yards take longer.
The rain is not over. If the river rises, the bridges and the roads near them could see more delays. Dark traffic lights at big intersections also slow everyone down.
This is not only a Laredo problem. Loads that cross here end up all over the country. A slow day in Laredo can mean a late delivery in Dallas, Chicago or Atlanta.
What to do next
- Never drive into water on the road. You cannot see how deep it is or if the road is gone.
- Check CBP wait times before you leave. The official site is bwt.cbp.gov.
- Treat a dark traffic light like a four-way stop.
- Tell your broker or shipper early if the weather will make you late.
- Keep your paperwork in order so a slow day does not turn into a fine. Read our trucking authority filing guide.
- Booking new loads out of Laredo? See how to check a freight broker.