Sheinbaum Coordinates Action to Address Rain Emergency

ByMexico Solidarity

This article by Alma E. Muñoz and Alonso Urrutia originally appeared in the October 11, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

From early on, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo coordinated actions to address the emergency caused by the heavy rains, particularly in six states. She reported deaths—including a minor—thousands of homes affected, rivers overflowing, towns isolated, roads damaged, landslides, fallen trees, and more.

Throughout the day, he was in contact with the governors of Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, and Guerrero, and with the heads of the Ministries of Defense, Navy (SEMAR), Welfare, Interior and Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, as well as the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) and the National Water Commission.

Late last night, the Ministry of Health reported that SEMAR had deployed 3,300 troops in Puebla, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí. It also made available 18 boats, six helicopters, three water treatment plants, three airplanes, three kitchenettes, and 4,000 food parcels ready for distribution.

Rainfall in several states across the country caused landslides and mudslides in Pinal de Amoles, Querétaro, resulting in the death of a minor. Photo: La Jornada

The Ministry also reported that 982 kilometers of federal highways in Hidalgo, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, and Veracruz were damaged. As of last night, 647 kilometers had been cleared, and work was underway on the remaining 335. He also mentioned that damage was reported to two bridges in Hidalgo.

This morning, it was reported that rainfall was recorded in 31 states—except Baja California Sur—and that one of the hardest-hit areas was Huasteca.

The Navy and DN-III-E plans were launched, the latter with 5,400 personnel, in addition to activating state and civil protection protocols to assist the affected population and take precautions for the following hours or days, given that the rains will continue both due to hurricane season and the presence of phenomena such as Raymond in the Pacific and on the Baja California peninsula.

President Sheinbaum noted that there is sufficient funding to address the emergency—19.43 billion pesos this year—and “in the event that these funds run out, precautions are being taken to determine additional support that would come from the public budget itself.”

During the morning press conference, the President indicated that the CNPC (National Commission for the Protection of Public Health) will determine the level of damage in municipalities and towns: “From there, the Ministry of Welfare will conduct a census of affected homes for individual assistance.” At noon, she led an assessment meeting with governors and members of her cabinet.

While traveling to the municipality of Álamo, Veracruz, one of the most affected, the head of the CNPC, Laura Velázquez, gave an initial report of damages and commented that Zihuatanejo had the highest rainfall, 151 millimeters, due to Tropical Storm Raymond.