Mexico – 7 Dead, 8 Missing After Flash Floods in Michoacán

At least 7 people have died and 8 are missing after flash flooding in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, on 23 September 2018.

Last week heavy rain and flooding affected the states of Durango, Sonora, Chihuahua and Sinaloa, where at least 3 people died.

In Michoacán, 58 mm of rain fell in Peribán in the space of 2 hours, according to Mexico’s Comisión Nacional del Agua (Conagua). The torrential rain caused the Cutio river to overflow.

Flood water swept through areas of the municipality of Peribán, in particular the districts of Tirinditas and Río Negro. Cars, trees, mud and debris were dragged cars along streets. At least 100 homes were damaged.

Flood waters reached a height of over 1.5 metres according to officials. Conagua said the flooding was worsened by blockages in the river.

Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior has declared an emergency for the municipality of Peribán. State Police, the federal army, civil protection and local authorities have been deployed to carry out relief and cleaning operations. Searches will continue for the missing people.

flood damage in Periban, Michoacan, Mexico, September 2018. Photo; Government of Michoacan

Social Media

Vía @Informativo102:

Dos ríos que atraviesan la zona urbana de #Peribán, #Michoacán se desbordaron esta tarde durante una fuerte tormenta ⛈ pic.twitter.com/MaJ6SvNA76

— Webcams de México (@webcamsdemexico) September 24, 2018

Emiten declaratoria de emergencia para Peribán, Michoacán https://t.co/84E3oOzGL8 pic.twitter.com/vxFwsXIjdX

— Joaquín López-Dóriga (@lopezdoriga) September 25, 2018

Las fuertes lluvias ahora le pegaron a #Michoacán. 7 muertos, 8 desaparecidos y 100 casas dañadas, es el saldo del desbordamiento de un río en #Peribán pic.twitter.com/PdzTxqGAb0

— Ciro Gómez Leyva (@CiroGomezL) September 25, 2018

Un auto es arrastrado por la fuerza del agua en Peribán de Ramos, Michoacán tras la tromba de este domingo. pic.twitter.com/IyJeDdqfF5

— El Heraldo de México (@elheraldo_mx) September 24, 2018

Personal de la 21/a. Zona Militar (Morelia, Mich.) aplican el #PLANDNIIIE en la “Fase de Auxilio”, en apoyo a la población civil afectada por el desbordamiento del río Cutio, en el municipio de #Peribán, #Michoacán pic.twitter.com/uj1y4ehNnj

— SEDENA México (@SEDENAmx) September 24, 2018

Las acciones de búsqueda de las personas que aún se encuentran desaparecidas ya están en marcha, los víveres y enseres domésticos seguirán llegando a la comunidad en el transcurso de la mañana. pic.twitter.com/9VyOZEjApB

— Silvano Aureoles (@Silvano_A) September 24, 2018

Flood Summary

Last updated: September 25, 2018

Event

Sinaloa and Michoacán, Mexico, September 2018

Date

September 19, 2018

Type

Urban flood, Flash flood

Cause

Extreme rainfall

Flooding affected parts of Sinaloa from around 19 September. On 23 September a storm brought torrential rain to the state of Michoacán, causing rivers to overflow. Heavy rain during this period also affected parts of the states of Durango, Sonora, and Chihuahua, where some evacuations were carried out.

Locations

A - Los Mochis
B - Culiacán
C - Peribán

Magnitude

Rainfall level

359 mm in 24 hours
Los Mochis - September 19 to September 20, 2018
Sinaloa Governor, Quirino Ordaz Coppel, said in a statement that 359 mm of rain fell in Los Mochis in 24 hours to 20 September.

Rainfall level

58 mm in 24 hours
Peribán - September 23 to September 23, 2018
Conagua said 58 mm of rain fell in 2 hours