Deadly floods sweep across central Mexico
Torrential rains trigger landslides, kill 27 and displace hundreds
Torrential rains have sent rivers bursting across eastern and central Mexico, causing widespread flooding, landslides and at least 27 deaths, authorities said. Sudden surges inundated large parts of Veracruz’s Poza Rica after the Cazones River rose about 1.5 metres in minutes, submerging roughly a third of the city, sweeping vehicles into piles and forcing hundreds into shelters; streets remained coated in mud and debris after waters receded. The Tecolutla River also overflowed, flooding communities in Gutiérrez Zamora, while upstream rainfall in the mountains raised warnings that conditions could deteriorate.
Hidalgo was among the hardest hit, with officials reporting 16 fatalities, more than 1,000 homes damaged and hundreds of schools affected. Puebla recorded multiple deaths and dozens missing, and other states including San Luis Potosí, Querétaro and Veracruz reported casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure. Power outages affected hundreds of thousands of people across affected regions, and landslides and road collapses cut off access to some mountain communities.
The federal government mobilised more than 5,400 military personnel, dispatching rescue teams, equipment and relief supplies to flooded zones. Emergency responders opened shelters, carried out evacuations and worked to reopen roads and restore electricity. Videos released by authorities showed navy and civil-protection teams wading through deep water to search for stranded residents.
Officials linked the flooding to a trough and a tropical disturbance that delivered intense precipitation to Veracruz and neighbouring Puebla, while Tropical Storm Raymond and other systems brought heavy rain to southern and western states, compounding the emergency. The president said the government was coordinating support to affected populations and prioritising restoration of services.
Authorities warned that continued rainfall could exacerbate river flooding and slope instability, keeping alerts in place for communities along waterways and in steep terrain. Damage assessments and search operations are ongoing as relief efforts expand and officials evaluate the scale of infrastructure and housing losses.
