At least four people lost their lives due to severe flooding in South Texas and Mexico after over 20 inches of rain fell near the border on Thursday and Friday. The heavy rainfall led to dramatic rescues and significant property damage in the region.
In Hidalgo County, located about 150 miles southwest of Corpus Christi, three deaths were confirmed by local officials. The identities of the deceased have not been released. A fourth victim drowned in Reynosa, a city in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which borders Hidalgo County.
The rainfall was unprecedented, with some areas in Hidalgo County receiving around 14 inches in just two days. This amount of rain can be equivalent to nearly half a year’s worth of precipitation for the region. Emergency responders in Harlingen, which recorded 21 inches of rain, reported rescuing over 200 residents, with many more still waiting for help.
In Tamaulipas, rescue efforts involved boats, and people were seen being pulled from rooftops and carried through waist-high waters. The state’s spokeswoman for public security, Blanca Zumaya Escobedo, noted that the cities of Reynosa and Rio Bravo were particularly hard-hit.
Residents in nearby Primera, Texas, expressed their anxiety as they faced the flooding. One local, Victor, shared how memories of past floods resurfaced, bringing feelings of dread about potential damage to their homes.
As the situation develops, the National Weather Service predicts that the rain will shift northeast toward Mississippi and Arkansas in the coming days. The flooding has caused significant disruption, and communities are rallying to support one another during this challenging time.