Central and southeastern Mexico have been battered by relentless rainfall over the past several days, unleashing catastrophic floods and landslides that have left at least 28 people dead and dozens more missing, according to statements from local and federal authorities. The deluge, which began on October 10 and intensified through October 11, has turned once-bustling streets into raging rivers, swept away vehicles, and submerged entire neighborhoods under muddy torrents. The disaster has prompted a massive emergency response as rescue teams scramble to reach those still stranded by rising waters.
Videos circulating on social media paint a harrowing picture: cars bobbing helplessly in currents, homes nearly swallowed by floodwaters, and residents huddled on rooftops waiting for help. In some of the hardest-hit areas, such as the central state of Hidalgo, the scope of devastation is staggering. State Interior Secretary Guillermo Olivares Reyna confirmed that at least 16 people have died in Hidalgo alone. The floods and landslides have damaged more than 1,000 homes, 59 hospitals and clinics, and 308 schools. Seventeen out of Hidalgo’s 84 municipalities have been left without electricity, compounding the misery for thousands of families.
Puebla, a neighboring state, has also been rocked by the disaster. Governor Alejandro Armenta reported nine deaths and noted that 13 people remain missing. The governor made an urgent plea for federal assistance to rescue 15 people, including children, who found themselves stranded on rooftops, encircled by surging floodwaters. "We are working to support the population, open roads and restore electrical services," President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a post on X, as reported by Reuters. Sheinbaum also shared images of first responders wading through knee-deep water, hauling supplies to those in need.
The sheer number of people affected is difficult to fathom. Armenta estimated that around 80,000 residents in Puebla alone have been impacted by the heavy rains. The situation was further complicated when a landslide ruptured a gas pipeline, raising fears of additional hazards amid the chaos. In the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, tragedy struck again. Governor Roco Nahle reported two deaths, including a police officer, while approximately 5,000 homes sustained damage. Nearly 900 people were evacuated to shelters as the Navy moved in to assist. The city of Poza Rica, in particular, bore the brunt of river flooding. Authorities made the difficult decision to cut electricity as a precaution, hoping to prevent further disasters.
One especially poignant story emerged from the central state of Queretaro, where a child lost their life after being caught in a landslide. Such incidents underscore the unpredictable and indiscriminate nature of the flooding, which has not spared the young or the old. The heavy rainfall has also caused widespread power outages, leaving more than 320,000 users in the dark and damaging nearly 1,000 kilometers of roads across six states, according to figures reported by Business Standard and Reuters. These infrastructure setbacks are likely to hamper recovery efforts for weeks, if not months, to come.
The government’s emergency response has been robust, if at times overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster. Mexico deployed 8,700 military personnel to assist with rescues, evacuations, and the distribution of aid. The Ministry of Defense confirmed the deployment of over 5,400 personnel to monitor, evacuate, and help clean up affected areas. The Navy has played a particularly visible role, with dramatic footage showing an officer searching for stranded residents in Poza Rica. In one video, the officer moves through the town’s flooded streets, water up to his neck, a stark illustration of the peril faced by both rescuers and those awaiting help.
Complicating matters further, meteorologists have pointed to the influence of storms Raymond and Priscilla, which have been dumping additional rain on the Baja California peninsula and Mexico’s western Pacific seaboard. These storms have exacerbated flooding and made conditions even more treacherous for those on the ground. As the rains continued, rivers burst their banks in several regions, overwhelming local drainage systems and making some communities accessible only by boat—or not at all.
The human toll of the disaster is still being calculated. While official death counts vary slightly—Reuters and Business Standard report at least 27 and 28 fatalities, respectively—the consensus among authorities is that the number could rise as search-and-rescue operations continue. In Puebla, there are at least five people still unaccounted for, and in other regions, the true extent of the damage may not be known for days. The images and stories emerging from the affected areas have galvanized both local and federal governments to act with urgency.
For many residents, the immediate concern is survival. Those who have lost their homes or been forced to evacuate face uncertain futures as shelters fill to capacity and basic necessities become scarce. The damage to hospitals and clinics is particularly worrying, raising concerns about access to medical care in the days ahead. Schools, too, have been hit hard, disrupting education for thousands of children and adding another layer of hardship to already traumatized communities.
Infrastructure challenges loom large. With nearly 1,000 kilometers of roads damaged across six states, getting aid to remote or isolated communities has proven difficult. The widespread power outages—affecting more than 320,000 users—have left many without light, refrigeration, or the ability to communicate with loved ones. In some municipalities, the restoration of electricity and clean water is expected to take weeks, especially in places where landslides have destroyed key transmission lines or contaminated water supplies.
As the floodwaters slowly recede, attention is turning to the long process of recovery and rebuilding. President Sheinbaum and state governors have promised continued support, but the scale of the disaster means that many will be relying on community solidarity and international aid in the short term. The memory of these floods—and the resilience shown by those affected—will linger long after the waters have gone.
Mexico’s latest bout with extreme weather serves as a sobering reminder of the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the unpredictable force of nature. For the families who have lost loved ones, homes, or livelihoods, the road ahead will be difficult. Yet amidst the devastation, stories of courage and compassion are already emerging, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of immense adversity.