Mexico floods leave at least 27 dead and more missing

At least 27 people are dead and others are missing after flooding in Mexico triggered a landslide and swept away homes, vehicles and bridges, according to officials.

Heavy rains on Thursday and Friday caused rivers to overflow. Hidalgo in eastern Mexico was one of the worst-hit areas, with 16 deaths.

Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed as rushing waters washed down streets carrying cars, highways were clogged with debris and power went out.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the government had deployed 5,400 personnel to assist communities, clear roads and distribute aid.

“We are working to support the population, open roads and restore electric service,” he wrote on social media.

In addition, 3,300 marines are assisting with evacuations as well as mitigating the effects of the flood.

In Puebla, state governor Alejandro Armenta reported that at least nine people died and five people were missing. The state government said an estimated 80,000 people in Puebla alone were affected by the weather.

Two more people died in Veracruz.

“No one was prepared for this,” Jose Cervantes, the owner of a coffee shop in one of the affected areas, told the Reuters news agency.

“The flood reached a height of four feet. Everything was flooded, the dining room and the entire restaurant, the kitchen, the bathroom, the playroom, the private area. Everything is terrible.”