MEXICO CITY – The death toll from torrential rains and subsequent flooding across several Mexican states has climbed to 64,authorities reported Monday,as search and rescue efforts continue.The hardest-hit states are Veracruz, Hidalgo, and Puebla, with additional fatalities reported in Querétaro.
The devastating rainfall, triggered by the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond, has left communities isolated and grappling with widespread damage. The scale of the disaster is prompting questions about preparedness and response, even as officials defend the warning systems in place. The immediate focus remains on reaching stranded populations and providing essential aid, but long-term recovery will be a meaningful challenge for the affected regions.
Veracruz state has suffered the most significant loss of life, with 29 confirmed fatalities as of Monday morning. Hidalgo state reported 21 deaths, and puebla recorded at least 13. In Querétaro, a child died in a landslide earlier in the week.
Residents in Poza Rica, Veracruz, described harrowing scenes as floodwaters surged through neighborhoods. Roberto Olvera, a local resident, recounted a moment of panic when a siren from a nearby Pemex facility signaled danger. “It was a really anguishing moment because a lot of people from the neighborhood stayed behind and some perished,” he said.
The extreme rainfall – some areas of Veracruz received 24.7 inches (62.7 centimeters) between October 6 and 9 – has also raised concerns about potential environmental hazards. Some residents alleged that the state oil company Pemex had previously drained nearby areas with oil during heavy rains to prevent its spread, though Pemex stated it had no reports of an oil spill in the area.
President Sheinbaum Pardo acknowledged that establishing access to all affected areas could take days, citing the logistical challenges of delivering sufficient food and water by air. She defended the goverment’s warning systems, stating that the rapid onset of the flooding made advance notice challenging. “It would have been difficult to have had much advance knowledge of this situation, (it’s) different from with hurricanes,” she said.
Mexico’s Civil Protection agency is coordinating the ongoing search and rescue operations, while federal and state authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage and provide support to displaced communities.
