POZA RICA, Mexico—The aftermath of relentless rainfall has left a wake of devastation in the low-lying neighborhoods of Poza Rica, where the Cazones River overflowed, inundating streets with over 12 feet (4 meters) of water early Friday morning. Residents recounted the ominous sound of crashing vehicles as they were swept away by the torrent.
By Saturday, as much of the water receded, the destruction revealed itself in perplexing scenes, such as vehicles caught in treetops and even a deceased horse trapped inside a pickup truck. The death toll related to landslides and floods across central and southeastern Mexico increased to 41, according to authorities, as thousands of soldiers mobilized to clear blocked roads and rescue those trapped.
The region, including Veracruz state, experienced severe rainfall, with estimates exceeding 540 millimeters (over 21 inches) from October 6 to 9. Residents in these affected areas received little warning before the flooding hit, prompting some to scramble to gather a few belongings before evacuating. Shadack Azuara, 27, recounted searching for his uncle early on Friday, but upon returning to their home later, he discovered his uncle had tragically drowned.
The National Coordination of Civil Protection in Mexico reported that the heavy rains resulted in at least 16 fatalities in the state of Hidalgo, north of Mexico City, leaving 150 communities without power. Additionally, nine deaths were confirmed in Puebla, east of the capital, and more than 16,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. In Veracruz alone, 15 lives were lost, and emergency services are actively searching for 27 individuals reported missing.
As heavy equipment worked through the muddy streets, the presence of the National Guard and army was minimal, and residents began the difficult task of cleaning out their flooded homes and businesses amidst widespread power outages affecting over 320,000 users across the country. The weather incidents have been attributed to the impacts of Tropical Storm Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond, both generating heavy rainfall that triggered these life-threatening scenarios.
While the situation remains dire, the resilience and strength of the impacted communities shine through as they strive to rebuild, showcasing a hopeful determination to recover from this disaster.