Historic Rainstorm Inundates Merida, Floods Streets and Strands Vehicles

Merida, Yucatan — A historic rainstorm pounded Merida on Friday, dumping up to 131 millimeters (5.2 inches) of rain and causing severe flooding, stranded vehicles, and power outages across the city.

The downpour marked the sixth consecutive day of rain in the Yucatan capital and was the heaviest single-day rainfall since Tropical Storm Nate in 2021, according to meteorologist Juan Antonio Palma Solis, coordinator of Meteored Mexico.

“The amount of rain that fell is practically what normally falls during the entire month of May,” Palma Solis said.

The storm far exceeded forecasts. The Regional Hydrometeorological Center had predicted 25 to 50 mm of rain, but the actual accumulation more than doubled the upper estimate.

Rain began with scattered showers in the morning, but intensified sharply after noon. Civil protection authorities issued warnings as thunderstorms developed. Although lightning activity was moderate — just over 200 strikes — and wind gusts reached only 40 km/h (25 mph), the rainfall was extraordinary.

The heaviest rain fell in southern Merida, where 131 mm accumulated, causing flooding in neighborhoods such as Santa Rosa and the southern commissariat of Dzununcán. In the city center, 84 to 92 mm were recorded, leaving several vehicles stranded and many streets impassable.

In eastern Merida and neighboring Kanasin, up to 67 mm fell, while western areas received about 50 mm, enough to flood some homes and disrupt traffic. Neighborhoods including Pensiones, Jardines de Mulsay, and Mulsay reported vehicles stalled by high water. Ciudad Caucel recorded 49 mm.

Northern Merida saw varying totals: Francisco de Montejo received around 45 mm, Las Americas 64 mm, and areas farther north such as Komchen and Xcanatun about 70 mm.

Visibility dropped to 20 to 30 meters at times, complicating traffic. In the historic center, streets like 60 and 54 turned into rivers, with water overflowing sidewalks and forcing pedestrians to wade through strong currents.

Civil protection officials issued a new alert at 2:20 p.m. as storms advanced over much of the municipality. Power outages were reported in several areas.

Palma Solis said Friday’s storm could be the most intense in Merida since Tropical Storm Nate in 2021, which brought average accumulations of about 110 mm.