Heavy rainfall from the intersection of two tropical storms has caused widespread devastation in Mexico. The Mexican states of Veracruz, Hidalgo and Puebla have been especially hard hit. Such intense flooding and landslides have cut off more than 300 towns and villages. This crisis has affected over 300,000 people in Veracruz, as stated by Governor Rocío Nahle.
Widespread torrential rains have already resulted in at least 64 deaths across the impacted areas. Just in Veracruz, 29 of those deaths were documented. In that short span of time, the rainfall in Veracruz reached cataclysmic proportions of over 24 inches. This heavy downpour made the Cazones River rise to 13 feet at certain locations. Those already saturated rivers and softened hillsides have only added to the destruction, causing massive flooding and devastation across much of the state.
In Álamo, Veracruz, floodwaters rose to two meters, roughly 6.5 feet. This traumatic increase destroyed all materials and equipment and caused extensive damage to 122 public health centers, including one in Álamo. With their facilities destroyed, medical personnel are now having to treat patients outside.
Rescue and relief operations are currently ongoing, where volunteer brigades like the Topos have been quickly organized to bring support to both victims and first responders. Helicopters are transporting food, medical supplies, and other emergency needs to cut-off areas. At the same time, private construction companies are aggressively pursuing known projects to get critical routes reopened.
These rains come on the heels of an already intense rainy season. Communities are currently left vulnerable and overwhelmed from the sheer volume of water. As rivers inundate communities and landslides sweep through cities, residents have been marooned in their neighborhoods. To one local resident it was “terrifying” that so many people were trapped and unable to flee.
With recovery efforts still underway, crews continue working to provide aid while restoring access to people who were cut off by the disaster. The collaboration between government officials and local volunteers is crucial in addressing the immediate needs of those impacted by this natural disaster.
