- Title: MEXICO: Floods kill more than 30 in northern Mexico
- Date: 5th April 2004
- Summary: (W2) PIEDRAS NEGRAS, MEXICO (APRIL 5, 2004) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF ESCONDIDO RIVER WITH FLOOD WATERS WIDE OF PEOPLE STANDING ON RIVER BANK CLOSE OF SWOLLEN RIVER VARIOUS OF MILITARY HELICOPTER FLYING OVER RIVER SLV OVERTURNED CAR STUCK IN MUD OF RIVER BANK SLV MAN WALKING ALONG BRIDGE THAT WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED SLV RESCUE WORKERS WITH ROPES WIDE OF SCHOOL BUS STUCK IN FLOODWATERS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WORKING ALONG RIVER BANK SLV ONLOOKERS SLV FURNITURE FROM DESTROYED HOME (1.00) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESIDENT OF AREA FRANCISCO TORRES SAYING "The river rose so much that it even destroyed the bridge for the train and a lot of people have drowned." GV DAMAGED RAILWAY TRACK SLV , INTERIOR OF HOSPITAL VARIOUS OF BODIES, VICTIMS OF FLOOD IN MORTUARY SCU SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PATRICIA RIVERA, CIVIL OFFICIAL SAYING "We have approximately sixty to seventy people missing and rescue efforts are continuing." GENERAL VIEW OF RIVER FAMILY MEMBERS GATHERED GENERAL VIEW OF RIVER
- Embargoed: 20th April 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: PIEDRAS NEGRAS, MEXICO
- City:
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Disasters,Environment
- Reuters ID: LVAM34XTWMZBZ07J6C3XYC0Q36V
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Flash floods kill more than 30 people in northern Mexico.
Raging flood waters killed at least 31 people on Monday (April 5) when they crashed through a normally arid town in northern Mexico close to the U.S. border.
The surprise flood caused by unusually heavy rain swept away people and buried homes and cars in the town of Piedras Negras, across the Rio Grande from Texas.
Concrete homes stood under several feet of murky water, cars perched on top of caved in buildings and flattened trees and debris lay strewn across the roads in what is usually one of the driest parts of the country.
Dozens of people were missing after the nearby Escondido River broke its banks due to heavy rainfall overnight.
Coahuila state Governor Enrique Martinez said on Monday afternoon that no more flooding was expected. Soldiers began to clean up debris, although residents were only allowed to return to what remained of their homes briefly to pick up a few valuables before going back to shelters.
"We're going to help you to replace your homes, replace every one of the things you've lost," Mexican President Vicente Fox told victims during a visit to an evacuation shelter.
The same storm system also brought heavy rains and flash flooding that partially collapsed a bridge on Interstate 20 in west Texas on Monday. It dumped nearly 4 inches (10 cm) of rain and large hail on west Texas and bordering areas of New Mexico.
In Mexico, flash flooding also hit the municipality of San Juan de Sabinas, which borders on Piedras Negras, an industrial town of around 200,000 people.
"The torrential rains in these municipalities have led us to declare an emergency," the Interior Ministry said in a news release, adding that the government had approved the release of disaster aid to meet the needs of flood victims.
According to authorities, 3,500 people had been evacuated, with around 2,000 being put up in temporary shelters and the remainder staying with friends and family.
About 300 homes have been destroyed in the flooding.
The worst-hit zone was a neighbourhood of Piedras Negras called Villa del Fuente.
Officials said it was the first time Escondido River, usually dry apart from sewage run-off, had broken its banks. A second river in the area also overflowed but did not cause major damage. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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