Mexico is facing a severe natural disaster after back-to-back tropical storms caused days of heavy rainfall, landslides, and floods. The government confirmed on Sunday that at least 44 people have died as a result of the extreme weather.

The Interior Ministry reported 18 deaths in Veracruz, 16 in Hidalgo, nine in Puebla, and one in Querétaro. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration said it is leading a coordinated national response to help 139 affected towns.

Veracruz Among the Worst-Hit Regions

Veracruz suffered the heaviest rainfall, recording about 540 millimetres (over 21 inches) of rain between October 6 and 9. By Saturday, floodwaters had begun to recede, exposing the scale of destruction. Cars were found hanging from treetops, while rescue workers discovered a dead horse inside a pickup truck, showing the sheer force of the floods.

Authorities said the death toll rose sharply as thousands of soldiers cleared debris, reopened roads, and searched for missing people.

Photos released by the Mexican military showed soldiers evacuating residents on life rafts, homes filled with mud, and rescue teams wading through waist-deep water in submerged neighborhoods.

Federal Government Coordinates Relief

President Sheinbaum confirmed on social media that emergency operations are ongoing across several states. “We continue with attention to the emergency in Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Queretaro, and San Luis Potosí, in coordination with the governor and the governors, as well as various federal authorities. The National Emergency Committee is in permanent session,” she wrote on X.

Across 55 municipalities in Veracruz, officials reported over 16,000 homes damaged. In Querétaro, a child died after being caught in a landslide, adding to the mounting tragedy.

Widespread Power Outages and Damage

The federal electricity authority said more than 320,000 users across Mexico suffered power outages due to the storms. Emergency crews are now working to restore services and reopen key transport routes.

Officials have attributed the deadly downpours to Tropical Storm Priscilla, which was previously a hurricane, and Tropical Storm Raymond, both swirling off Mexico’s western coast.

Mexico Faces a Long Recovery

The back-to-back storms have caused one of the worst flooding disasters in recent years. Recovery efforts are expected to take weeks as authorities assess damage to homes, roads, and power infrastructure. Soldiers continue to search remote areas for missing people while emergency shelters provide aid to displaced families.