The heavy rains that battered Xalapa, Veracruz, between Monday night and the early hours of Tuesday morning resulted in the death of two individuals, as well as severe flooding, landslides and damage across dozens of neighborhoods in the capital city. 

In a radio interview cited by news outlet Quadratín Veracruz, Mayor Daniela Griego Ceballos said that the fatalities included a man in the Independencia neighborhood who was killed by a landslide, and a young woman who lost her life after becoming trapped in a flooded building in the area of San Bruno.

At the time of the interview, Griego said there were no other reports of people seriously injured, trapped or in similar situations.  

The intense rainfall left damage across Xalapa. Initial reports from municipal authorities recorded 31 instances of rising water and 64 cases of flooding or pooling water at various locations in the city. As damage assessments progressed, the government of Veracruz reported that the emergency had caused damage in 43 neighborhoods and affected at least 60 homes.

Griego explained that one of the highest rainfall totals was recorded in Lomas del Seminario, which saw 135 millimeters of rain. 

According to forecasters, more rain is expected in Xalapa throughout the rest of the week. Griego urged residents to avoid exposing themselves to danger, particularly those living in high-altitude areas, on slopes or in high-risk zones. 

She warned that conditions remain hazardous because the ground is still waterlogged and water continues to accumulate in some areas, which could lead to further damage.

“The best course of action would be to go to a relative’s home or to a shelter to avoid putting yourselves at risk,” she advised.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Port Development Ministry (Sedecop), in coordination with local governments, announced it would conduct a census of businesses affected by rains, flooding and overflowing waterways in Xalapa and nearby municipalities to quantify the damage and losses suffered by small businesses and merchants. 

Head of Sedecop Ernesto Pérez Astorga said that once the assessment is complete, a proposal for financial support for the affected businesses will be presented to Governor Rocío Nahle García.

With reports from Imagen del Golfo and La Silla Rota