At least four people died after more than 20 inches of rain near the border Thursday and Friday, and hundreds were rescued in floods in South Texas and Mexico.
A judge in Hidalgo County confirmed three deaths in a local disaster statement, about 150 miles southwest of Corpus Christi. Officials said the identity of those who died was not immediately known.
The fourth person was flooded in Reynosa, Mexico’s Tamoripas state, which borders Hidalgo County, state officials said.
County officials said 14 inches of rain fell in part of Hidalgo County, causing “significant property damage.” The rainfall in southern Texas was about half a year in two days and subsided on Friday night.
Officials in the nearby city of Harlingen recorded 21 inches of rain and said Friday that emergency responders have rescued more than 200 residents and hundreds more are waiting for rescue.
According to photos from the state government and a state public safety spokeswoman, in Tamaulipas, people were picked up by boats, rescued from the roof and passed through the waist high water. Large buses are completely submerged in the water.
“Raining came a few hours later,” spokesman Blanca Zumaya Escobedo said, adding that the cities in Motoronia and Rio Valvo were the most affected.
Victor, a resident, explained that people in Primera, a city in northwest Texas, are used to preparing for bad weather events. In recent years, southern Texas has experienced several massive flooding incidents.
“Seeing water makes all these emotions, anxiety, anxiety and fears, making your house underwater again,” Victor said. “Victor declined to provide a last name. “It’s just a feeling that you can’t waver.”
In the next few days, rainfall is expected to head northeast towards Mississippi and Arkansas, according to the National Weather Service.
John Yuan Contribution report.
