Days of relentless rain have left a trail of devastation across central and eastern Mexico, with the official death toll from flooding and landslides rising to 64 and at least 65 people still missing as of October 14, 2025. The disaster, which unfolded between October 6 and 9, has battered the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí, overwhelming rivers, sweeping away roads and bridges, and leaving entire communities cut off from the outside world.
According to Mexico’s National Civil Protection Agency, the heaviest rainfall fell in Veracruz and Puebla, where precipitation exceeded a staggering 280 millimeters—enough to turn city streets into rivers and rural villages into isolated islands. The flooding was fueled by the combined forces of Tropical Storm Raymond and Hurricane Priscilla, two weather systems that collided off Mexico’s western coast before dissipating, but not before unleashing their fury on the heartland.
Veracruz, perched on the Gulf of Mexico, bore the brunt of the catastrophe. The state reported 29 deaths and 18 people still missing, according to federal officials cited by BNO News and El País. In Hidalgo, 21 people lost their lives and 43 remain unaccounted for, while Puebla suffered 13 fatalities and four missing. Querétaro, too, was not spared: a six-year-old boy was killed in a landslide. The numbers, grim as they are, are expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue and more remote villages are reached.
The scale of destruction is daunting. President Claudia Sheinbaum, speaking at her daily news briefing on Monday, said, "There are sufficient resources; this won’t be skimped on… because we’re still in the emergency period." She acknowledged that it could take days before access is restored to some of the hardest-hit areas, with dozens of small communities still inaccessible. Helicopters have been ferrying food and water to nearly 200 such cut-off places, and evacuating the sick and injured as needed. "A lot of flights are required to take sufficient food and water to those places," Sheinbaum added, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
The federal response has been massive but not without its critics. Around 10,000 troops—drawn from the Mexican Army, Navy, and National Guard—have been deployed to the disaster zone, working alongside civilian rescue teams. National Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla reported that 7,347 soldiers and guards were dispatched to the five affected states, while Navy Minister Raymundo Morales said 3,300 naval personnel had been mobilized. Their efforts have included setting up air bridges to deliver supplies, operating mobile kitchens, and using boats and heavy machinery to clear debris and reach stranded residents.
Yet, for many on the ground, help has not come quickly enough. President Sheinbaum visited Poza Rica in Veracruz and other flood-ravaged towns on Sunday, October 12, facing a chorus of frustration from locals. According to Mexico News Daily, one woman shouted, "You’re useless!" at the president, while another resident complained, "The governor isn’t doing anything." Some accused the army of refusing to enter homes to rescue trapped families. Others pleaded for answers about missing loved ones. In the face of mounting criticism, Sheinbaum responded, "We’re used to it," and assured residents that her administration was committed to supporting clean-up efforts and providing food and clean water.
Behind the numbers lie stories of heartbreak and resilience. The floods have affected an estimated 100,000 homes, with many families losing everything. Welfare Minister Ariadna Montiel pledged that initial financial support would be delivered to those affected in the coming days, with additional aid for replacing damaged appliances and household items to follow once a damage census is complete. The Federal Electricity Commission reported that nearly 263,000 customers lost power during the floods, though 84% had service restored by early Monday morning. Still, over 42,000 homes remained in the dark as of October 14, according to El País.
Infrastructure has taken a heavy hit as well. Flooding and landslides caused 132 interruptions to federal highways, with all but two cleared by October 13, according to the federal minister for infrastructure, communications, and transport, Jesús Antonio Esteva Medina. Secondary highways and rural roads, however, remain impassable in many areas, further complicating relief efforts.
Mexico’s government has declared a state of emergency in several municipalities across Veracruz, Puebla, and Hidalgo, unlocking federal resources for recovery. President Sheinbaum announced that 19 billion pesos (about $1.02 billion) had been allocated for natural disaster mitigation this year, with approximately three billion pesos already spent in response to the current crisis.
Despite the scale of the official response, the challenges are immense. Dozens of small communities remain inaccessible, and it could be days before rescuers can reach everyone in need. Helicopters continue to deliver food and water, but some residents, cut off by washed-out roads and collapsed bridges, are still waiting for help. The scenes are harrowing: pick-up trucks hang precariously over fences, streets are submerged, and families huddle in temporary shelters, uncertain of what the next day will bring.
Authorities have attributed the disaster to the rare convergence of two tropical systems, Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond, which together produced rainfall volumes and intensities that far exceeded forecasts. Navy Secretary Raymundo Morales remarked that, even though heavy rain had been predicted, "its volume and intensity was beyond any expectations, triggering flooding and landslides."
As the emergency phase continues, the government has promised not to spare any resources to help victims and rebuild devastated communities. President Sheinbaum has vowed, "There are sufficient resources to respond to the flooding and assist affected people." But for those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, the road to recovery will be long and fraught with uncertainty.
With more rain forecast in the days ahead—though no further torrential downpours are expected—residents and officials alike are bracing for continued hardship. The damage census, set to begin this week, will provide a clearer picture of the full extent of the disaster. In the meantime, the resilience of Mexico’s people is being tested once again, as they come together to clear debris, care for neighbors, and wait for the waters to recede.
In the battered towns and villages of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí, the struggle continues—not just to survive, but to rebuild lives upended by the worst flooding Mexico has seen in years.
