In his region, Miguel Angel Villegas Escobar reported that more than a dozen individuals lost their lives due to severe weather conditions that have isolated the area from the rest of Hidalgo state in Mexico. Torrential rains, overflowing rivers, and mudslides have destroyed bridges and roads in the landlocked state, resulting in devastating consequences for the residents.
Villegas Escobar, who serves as the regional director of primary education in Chahuaco village, shared through WhatsApp voice messages that entire families were swept away by extensive flooding caused by continuous rains over a four-day period across five Gulf Coast and central states. Specifically, he mentioned that 15 people in Tianguistengo municipality, including various villages like Chahuaco, perished in the floods and were buried under mud. Additionally, two individuals are still missing from the nearby Tlacolula village, which suffered the most severe impact within Tianguistengo, with the majority of its residences destroyed.
Residents of Chahuaco have taken on the task of delivering essential supplies to Tlacolula via old trails, utilizing pack animals and horses to provide aid to the affected population. The aftermath of the storms has resulted in 64 casualties and 65 individuals reported missing, as disclosed by Mexican authorities in a press conference on Monday.
The heavy rainfall between October 6 and October 9 led to the overflowing of rivers, gullies, and ditches, causing power outages, landslides, and the destruction of highways and roads across Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosi states. National coordinator for the federal civil protection agency, Laura Velázquez, mentioned during the press conference that various levels of government have been actively involved in assisting affected populations.
The most significant impact was felt in Veracruz, Hidalgo, and Puebla, where 56 fatalities were recorded, with over 100 communities severely affected. The devastation can be witnessed through images circulating on social media and local news, depicting flooded streets, stranded individuals on rooftops, and roads damaged by landslides. Criticism has been directed at Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and the governors of the affected states for the perceived delayed response and failure to issue timely alerts or evacuation orders.
Sheinbaum acknowledged the frustration felt by the affected residents and assured them of ongoing support and relief efforts. The unexpected intensity of the rains caught authorities off guard, with the convergence of multiple weather systems exacerbating the situation. Despite monitoring potential cyclones and hurricanes, the collision of a low-pressure system with a cold front triggered the unprecedented rainfall and subsequent flooding.
Tianguistengo was identified as a priority area for assistance, prompting military intervention to rebuild infrastructure and provide aid. Efforts are underway to reach isolated communities through air support, with helicopters aiding approximately 60 affected locations. Sheinbaum emphasized the urgency of restoring transportation routes to those in need and ensuring that relief efforts are promptly delivered to the impacted regions.