Mexico Floods: 64 Dead in 4 States

Mexico City — The national coordinator of Civil Protection, Laura Velázquez, reported on Monday that the death toll from rains and flooding has increased to 64 across the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Querétaro.

During the morning press conference, she detailed that Veracruz is the state with the most victims, with 29 fatalities and 18 people still unaccounted for at this time. In Puebla, the toll has risen to 13 people dead and four missing, in addition to damage across 23 municipalities.

In Hidalgo, 21 fatalities and 43 people unaccounted for have been reported, with damage in 28 municipalities. In Querétaro, the record remains at one person dead and eight municipalities affected, while in San Luis Potosí no deaths or missing persons have been reported, although 12 municipalities are experiencing damage from the rains.

The federal official assured that "all the families of the deceased have the support and accompaniment of the state, federal, and municipal governments. No one will be left helpless."

Widespread Damage and Response Efforts

According to Civil Protection, the flooding in the affected entities—including San Luis Potosí—is due to rising river and stream levels following several days of intense precipitation.

Since last Friday, President Claudia Sheinbaum established the Emergency Committee, which is in permanent session with the participation of the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena), the Secretary of the Navy (Semar), the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), the National Water Commission (Conagua), the Ministry of the Interior (Segob), the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), and the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE).

The president canceled her Sunday agenda to visit Puebla, Veracruz, and Hidalgo, and reported that "the census to distribute aid will begin soon; we are not going to leave anyone helpless."

The federal authority specified that cleanup and sanitization efforts have been intensified to reestablish safe conditions in the affected areas.

Veracruz

The state of Veracruz is experiencing the most severe damage, with 70 affected municipalities and 81 isolated localities. An estimated total of 29,267 homes have been damaged and 130,000 users are without electricity, although the CFE reports a 70% progress rate in restoring service. Fifty temporary shelters have been set up, serving 2,871 people.

Puebla

In Puebla, 38 municipalities are reporting damage; among them, Xicotepec, Huauchinango, and Venustiano Carranza are receiving priority attention. The CFE reported that 26,442 users were affected, with an 80.7% progress rate in reconnection. Ninety-one isolated localities and 16,000 damaged homes have been reported.

Hidalgo

In Hidalgo, 22 municipalities have registered damage and 74 localities remain isolated. The preliminary tally indicates 1,217 damaged homes and 15 shelters set up with more than 400 displaced people. Among the hardest-hit municipalities are Zimapán, Huehuetla, Tianguistengo, and Calnali.

San Luis Potosí

In San Luis Potosí, 12 municipalities sustained damage, with Tanquián de Escobedo, San Vicente, and Tamazunchale being the most affected. The CFE reported that 35,000 users lost power, but service has now been 100% restored. Additionally, 1,559 homes have damage and 12 localities remain isolated.

Querétaro

In Querétaro, eight municipalities suffered damage, with priority attention in Pinal de Amoles, Jalpan de Serra, and Arroyo Seco. Six hundred people remain isolated and 150 homes are affected. The state has set up eight temporary shelters for 48 people.

The National Civil Protection Committee remains in permanent session with the state governments and has activated line 079 for reports, assistance, and locating persons.