Torrential rains and devastating floods in Mexico over the past week have left at least 64 people dead and 65 missing, with authorities warning that the toll may rise as rescue teams reach previously inaccessible areas. Central and eastern regions of Mexico, including the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Querétaro, have been the hardest hit, with thousands of homes destroyed, entire communities stranded, and essential infrastructure severely damaged.
What Happened
Unprecedented rainfall, attributed to the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Rainstorm Raymond, struck between October 6 and 9, causing rivers to overflow and triggering massive landslides. In affected areas like Cerro Azul (Veracruz) and Cuetzalan del Progreso (Puebla), over 280 mm of rain fell in just a single day. The city of Poza Rica experienced catastrophic flooding, with water levels reaching over 12 feet in certain neighborhoods.
Veracruz: 29 confirmed dead, 18 missing, several towns cut off by landslides and flooding.
Puebla: 13 deaths, including entire families lost in landslides.
Querétaro: At least one child killed by a landslide.
National Response and Rescue Efforts
President Claudia Sheinbaum declared a state of emergency, mobilizing thousands of soldiers, National Guard members, and Air Force personnel to deliver aid and supplies—sometimes by air due to inundated and impassable roads. Over 100,000 homes are estimated to be damaged, with some villages near rivers “virtually vanished”. Electricity and communications were disrupted for more than 263,000 people, though repairs have restored power to over 80% of affected users.
The government has launched a door-to-door census to identify victims and distribute direct financial aid and support. Emergency shelters were set up, providing food and medical attention for displaced residents.
Human Impact and Consequences
The floods have had a devastating social impact:
Hundreds of families have lost loved ones, with dozens still waiting for news about missing relatives.
More than 100 small communities remain isolated, requiring urgent delivery of food, water, and medicine by air.
Hundreds of thousands have suffered damage to their homes or lost property entirely—some homes “vanished overnight” near riverbanks.
Maria Salas, a resident of Huauchinango, Puebla, lost five family members when a landslide destroyed her house.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Large areas of farmland have been washed away, threatening local food supplies and livelihoods.
The Port of Veracruz and key regional transport and cargo lines have been severely disrupted, affecting national and international trade.
Long-term cleanup and reconstruction of infrastructure, roads, and homes will be an immense challenge.
Future Risks and Outlook
Meteorologists note that there were no advance weather indicators suggesting rainfall would reach such extreme levels, leaving authorities little time to issue warnings. The government has pledged not to withhold resources and to support all affected communities through the recovery.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as fears persist that further landslides and renewed flooding could occur, especially with communities still isolated and rescue operations ongoing. The government has assured a strong, coordinated response to help families recover and rebuild from this historic disaster.