Mexican authorities are grappling with a widespread crisis as they search for dozens of individuals missing after torrential rains unexpectedly ravaged several parts of the country over the weekend. Thousands more are in urgent need of aid, with widespread damage reported.
As of Monday, officials confirmed 64 fatalities and 65 missing persons across five states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. These numbers are regrettably expected to climb as rescue teams work to reach isolated areas affected by landslides.
President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the nation on Monday morning, estimating that approximately 100,000 homes have been impacted by the floods and landslides. Numerous communities remain cut off, necessitating aerial delivery of essential supplies like food and water.
“There were no scientific or meteorological conditions that could have indicated to us that the rainfall would be of this magnitude,” Ms. Sheinbaum stated. She explained that the government’s primary focus had been on the Pacific, monitoring Hurricane Priscilla and Hurricane Raymond, which had formed off Mexico’s western coast the previous week.
However, the most severe devastation struck the central and eastern regions, specifically the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, and Puebla. Here, incredibly intense and localized downpours led to rivers overflowing their banks and triggering destructive landslides.
Government data reveals that some towns received an astounding 20 inches of rain in just four days.
These intense rainfall events highlight a growing risk across broad areas of the country. Earlier this year, significant flooding along Mexico’s border with the United States also resulted in deaths and extensive damage.
While establishing a direct link between any single extreme rainfall event and climate change in real-time is complex, scientific studies indicate that rising global temperatures contribute to storms producing more extreme rain, as warmer air can hold more moisture.
President Sheinbaum is under considerable pressure to deliver prompt relief to the victims. This critical task is made more challenging by recent budget cuts to climate-change mitigation efforts and the prior dissolution of a special disaster relief fund by her predecessor, citing corruption claims. It is worth noting that no corruption cases directly tied to this fund have been legally substantiated.
Historically, this fund was recognized as one of the world’s most advanced financial mechanisms for disaster relief, proving effective in saving lives and restoring access to vital services.
Nevertheless, Ms. Sheinbaum has pledged that her administration will commit all necessary resources to support those affected, emphasizing, “There are sufficient resources. There will be no skimping on that.” She confirmed that $867 million remains available this year for disaster relief.
Despite these assurances, desperation is mounting in some of the hardest-hit areas.
On Sunday, during a visit to Veracruz—where an overflowing river caused thousands to be displaced and claimed at least 29 lives—President Sheinbaum encountered angry residents in Poza Rica.
“Where are they?” crowds shouted, brandishing cellphone photos of their missing loved ones.
A distraught young student publicly challenged the president as she attempted to calm the crowd from the back of a pickup truck. He passionately explained that three of his university classmates had been missing for three days, while local residents were left to respond to the disaster largely on their own.
“We have been here for three days, cleaning up,” he cried emotionally. “What good is it to have you here?”
Ms. Sheinbaum repeatedly urged the crowd for quiet, pressing a finger to her lips. “We are going to help everyone,” she assured them. “Nothing will be hidden.”
When asked about the incident on Monday, she noted that university authorities had informed her of two student deaths but had not yet confirmed if any others remained missing.
The President also highlighted a critical resource Mexico has increasingly relied upon: its armed forces.
With the absence of a dedicated disaster fund, the Mexican Army, Air Force, and Navy have taken on an expanded role in relief efforts. The effectiveness of these military-led responses has been met with mixed opinions.
For instance, following Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that devastated Acapulco in 2023, the military was commended for its swift deployment of aid and personnel. However, critics argue that recovery efforts were hampered by a lack of localized knowledge and an initial oversight of poorer neighborhoods and remote communities.
The financial strain of repairs, social assistance, and direct cash transfers on Mexico’s public funds has been considerable.
Mirroring her administration’s ongoing work in Acapulco, Ms. Sheinbaum announced plans on Monday to dredge rivers, construct embankments, rebuild bridges, and upgrade pumping stations to enhance flood control in the newly impacted states.
To date, over 7,300 Army soldiers and National Guard members have been mobilized to assist with rescue and evacuation operations.
Additionally, health officials are actively working to prevent the outbreak and spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue in the affected regions.
The heavy rains also caused power outages, leaving more than a quarter-million people without electricity. However, Mexico’s national power company reported on Monday that power had largely been restored.
Annie Correal also contributed to this report.