EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Heavy rain moved through parts of El Paso on Friday, leaving water on roadways and turning at least one Northeast neighborhood street into what looked like a river.<\/p>\n
KFOX14\/CBS4 crews tracked conditions across the city as the rain developed, beginning in Northeast El Paso before moving west toward Downtown.<\/p>\n
Before the heavier rain arrived, residents were already picking up sandbags from an El Paso Water distribution site.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps a lot. And, you know, sometimes just a couple at the door, you know, gives you that peace of mind. You can go to sleep and not worry about what\u2019s going on,\u201d one resident said.<\/p>\n
A short time later, rain began picking up near Hondo Pass Drive and Gateway Boulevard North.<\/p>\n
Near Dyer Street and Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive, an area that had been under a flash flood warning earlier in the evening, water was ponding on the road as drivers moved through the busy intersection.<\/p>\n
Conditions were different farther west. Downtown streets remained mostly dry Friday evening, although dark clouds could be seen over El Paso and across the border in Ju\u00e1rez.<\/p>\n
People Downtown were still out enjoying their Friday night, with some carrying umbrellas or preparing for the possibility of rain.<\/p>\n
One person said the rain could become an excuse to spend more of the weekend indoors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeekend plans right now are pretty tame. If anything, we\u2019ll do work around the house, and then the rain will be our excuse to stay inside and not have to do any work. So we\u2019ll see what happens,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Another person offered simple advice for anyone driving in wet conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrive slow through the puddles because you never know when you can go off-road,” he said.<\/p>\n
El Paso Water has opened two additional satellite locations where customers can pick up free sandbags to help protect their homes and property from potential flooding.<\/p>\n
According to El Paso Water, eligible customers may receive up to 10 free sandbags per visit at any of the three distribution sites. Customers are asked to load the sandbags into their own vehicles.<\/p>\n
The available pickup locations and hours are:<\/p>\n
Stormwater Operations Center<\/p>\n
4801 Fred Wilson Ave.Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Saturday and Sunday: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
Artcraft Booster Station<\/p>\n
7830 Paseo Del NorteMonday through Sunday: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
Blackie Chesher Park<\/p>\n
9292 Escobar DriveMonday through Sunday: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Weather Warn: heavy rain & flash flooding possible across the Borderland this weekend<\/a><\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Police investigates death in Northeast El Paso after water rescue<\/a><\/p>\n