Mexico – 10,000 Hit by Floods in Piedras Negras, Coahuila (Updated)

Update, 11 September, 2018

Following the flooding in the city of Piedras Negras, further heavy rain in Coahuila has caused flooding across wider areas of the state, including the municipalities of Torreón, Acuña, Coahuila, Monclova and Frontera.

An emergency declaration for the municipalities of Acuña, Torreón and Piedras Negras was announced by the federal government on 10 September.

Flooding has also affected parts of the neighbouring state of Durango, where at least 3 people have died as a result of severe weather. Two people died when their vehicle was swept away by flood water on Sunday 09 September in the municipality of Cuencamé. One person died from lightning strike in Pánuco de Coronado.

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Original Report, 06 September, 2018

Flooding in the city of Piedras Negras in Coahuila state, northern Mexico on Tuesday, 04 September affected more than 10,000 residents.

According to local authorities, the floods also affected around 2,500 homes. Around 20 people were forced to evacuate and stay in temporary accommodation. Roads in the area also suffered damage. No injuries or fatalities were reported however.

Local Civil Protection said that more than 150mm of rain fell from late Monday 03 September to early Tuesday 04 September. The heavy rain caused the Arroyo (creek) “El Soldado” to break its banks, as well as some surface flooding in the city’s streets. The city, with a population of around 250,000 in the wider metro area, is situated on the border with Texas, USA, along the Rio Grande river.There were no reports of the Rio Grande overflowing.

Areas in the north of the city were the worst affected, including the districts of Tierra y Esperanza, Hacienda de Luna, Las Argentinas and Malvinas.

Local municipality staff, supported by teams from Secretariat of National Defense, Civil Protection fire and police departments have started clean up operations. Local authorities also distributed cleaning kits for families in affected areas.

Coahuila State government said that an emergency declaration is in progress.

Floods in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, September 2018. Credit: Government of Piedras Negras / Coahuila
Floods in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, September 2018. Credit: Government of Piedras Negras / Coahuila

Social Media

https://twitter.com/MpioPNegras/status/1037506428792070144

https://twitter.com/MpioPNegras/status/1037467240877109248

Flood Summary

Last updated: September 11, 2018
Event
Coahuila and Durango, Mexico, September 2018
Date
September 3 to September 11, 2018
Type
Urban flood, Flash flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall
The city of Piedras Negras in Coahuila state, northern Mexico saw severe flooding on Tuesday, 04 September. During the following days wider areas of the state were affected after further heavy rain, including the municipalities of Torreón, Acuña, Monclova and Frontera.

Locations

A - Piedras Negras
B - Torreón
C - Acuña
D - Monclova
E - Frontera
F - Cuencamé

Magnitude

Rainfall level
150 mm in 24 hours
Piedras Negras - September 3 to September 4, 2018
River level
Overflowing
Arroyo (creek) El Soldado - September 4 to September 5, 2018
River level
Overflowing
Aguanaval River, Torreón - September 9 to September 10, 2018
Rainfall level
80 mm in 24 hours
Torreón - September 9 to September 10, 2018
Comisión Nacional del Agua

Damages

Affected
70,000
Coahuila - September 3 to September 6, 2018
Buildings damaged
2,500
Piedras Negras - September 3 to September 6, 2018
Fatalities
3 people
Durnago state - September 8 to September 10, 2018
Two people died when their vehicle was swept away by flood water on Sunday 09 September in the municipality of Cuencamé. One person died from lightning strike in Pánuco de Coronado.