Four Dead After Floods Devastate Texas-Mexico Border/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Severe storms and historic rainfall along the Texas-Mexico border have left at least four people dead and hundreds rescued from flooded homes and vehicles. Emergency crews continue to respond as water levels begin to recede and damage assessments begin across both countries.
Severe Storms in South Texas Quick Looks
- At least four people confirmed dead in Texas and Mexico
- More than 21 inches of rain flood Texas’ Rio Grande Valley
- Hundreds rescued from submerged homes and stranded vehicles
- Tamaulipas, Mexico, reports widespread flooding and one drowning
- Power outages and canceled flights hit Harlingen and surrounding cities
- Border Patrol links one death to suspected migrant smuggling incident
- Crews perform 100+ water rescues in Alamo, Texas
- Reynosa, Rio Bravo, and Matamoros impacted by high water
- Thousands of students affected by school and college closures
- Emergency efforts ongoing with military personnel deployed in Mexico
Four Dead After Floods Devastate Texas-Mexico Border
Deep Look
Deadly Storms Ravage Texas-Mexico Border, Triggering Rescues and Widespread Flooding
McALLEN, Texas — A relentless wave of storms along the Texas-Mexico border has claimed at least four lives and triggered a massive emergency response across the region. As floodwaters rose throughout the Rio Grande Valley, rescue teams responded to hundreds of emergency calls while residents faced rapidly deteriorating conditions both in Texas and northern Mexico.
On the U.S. side, authorities in Hidalgo County confirmed at least three deaths. Harlingen, one of the region’s hardest-hit areas, recorded over 21 inches of rain in a matter of days — a historic total for the low-lying valley. Residents reported being trapped in their homes, with many waiting for help as floodwaters reached waist-high levels.
Jionni Ochoa, 46, and his wife were still awaiting rescue from their Palm Valley home on Friday. “The bed is the only thing dry,” he said, describing how water poured through electrical sockets and destroyed everything inside. “Everything got messed up, everything got ruined.”
While details about the deaths remain limited, authorities said the incidents were tied to law enforcement efforts. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that a suspected migrant smuggler attempted to cross a flooded roadway in Hidalgo County, resulting in a submerged vehicle. One body was recovered, and another person remains missing. It’s unclear if these fatalities overlap with those reported by county officials.
In neighboring Mexico, officials in Tamaulipas confirmed the death of an 83-year-old man who drowned in Reynosa, a city directly across the border from McAllen. Emergency shelters were activated, and videos circulating on social media showed soldiers navigating chest-deep water to reach stranded residents.
Luis Gerardo González de la Fuente, the state’s emergency coordinator, said Reynosa was the most severely impacted area, though conditions in Rio Bravo, Miguel Aleman, and parts of Matamoros remained dangerous. Rainfall totals in northeastern Mexico ranged from 7 to 12 inches, further compounding the disaster.
More than 640 military personnel were deployed across affected areas in Mexico to assist with rescue and recovery. Power outages were widespread, though authorities said electricity was being restored in some neighborhoods as floodwaters receded.
Back in Texas, the impact has been equally severe. In the city of Alamo, fire crews performed over 100 water rescues, many involving residents trapped in vehicles or flooded homes, according to Fire Chief R.C. Flores. In nearby Weslaco, Mayor Adrian Gonzalez reported dozens more rescues after roughly 14 inches of rain overwhelmed drainage systems.
“It’s a historic rainstorm, and it’s affecting all the Valley, not just Weslaco,” Gonzalez said.
Thousands of residents across the region lost power. Schools, colleges, and even Valley International Airport in Harlingen closed operations on Friday, disrupting daily life and further complicating rescue efforts.
The storm has also inflicted major damage on agriculture and livestock in the region, which is known for its fertile farmland. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the losses could be “significant,” though a full assessment is still pending.
In rural areas, including colonias — unincorporated neighborhoods with underdeveloped infrastructure — residents have been especially hard-hit.
Emma Alaniz, living in one such community, said her home is now isolated by floodwaters. “For today, I won’t be able to go anywhere,” she said. “I have a small car, and I won’t be able to take it out to the flooded street.”
As the rains began to taper off Friday evening, emergency officials warned that danger remained. With more storms in the forecast and swollen rivers continuing to rise, recovery efforts are only beginning in this hard-hit region.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.