Four lives were lost and several people remain unaccounted for after the first named hurricane of the season battered Oaxaca, Mexico, triggering floods and landslides that disrupted communities from the coast to the highlands. Officials in San Pedro Pochutla confirmed the deaths of two children, aged eleven and three, in the Corcovado Petaca area. Authorities say members of a family and neighbors sought shelter in a riverbank home that seemed secure, but the river swelled rapidly, breached the structure, and flooded the dwelling, forcing responders to rescue and recover those trapped by the rising waters. A report from the Civil Protection leadership emphasizes the tragedy and notes that roughly seventeen people were in the affected house at the time of the surge, highlighting the swift and dangerous turn of floodwaters during the storm’s advance. The event underscores the volatility of flash floods and the risks posed by rivers crossing settled areas during tropical weather events that move quickly inland.
Earlier updates from national and local authorities described additional fatalities and ongoing search and recovery operations in several municipalities. The head of the National Indigenous Peoples Institute reported a second death resulting from a landslide in Xanaguía, located in the Sierra Sur region. In San Carlos Yautepec, municipal authorities indicated that a person disappeared after being swept by the current along a river in Asunción Tlacolulita. The Oaxaca Civil Protection service also noted a report of a missing individual near Huatulco, in San Miguel del Puerto, following river flooding and the drift of four adults, while another landslide affected the slope near San Mateo Piñas, trapping residents in the affected area. The evolving situation prompted multiple agencies to coordinate swift responses to locate missing people and secure affected neighborhoods.
As the weather event unfolded, authorities documented several disruptions to property and infrastructure. Landslides and river overflows isolated communities and roads, necessitating the deployment of the Army, Firefighters, and Navy Marines to assist residents and support evacuation and relief efforts. In many communities, road access remains limited, complicating rescue operations and the delivery of essential supplies. Local leaders stressed the need for continuous monitoring of river levels and the rapid dissemination of safety guidance to residents living in flood-prone zones. Emergency services remain engaged in shelter coordination, debris clearance, and ensuring access to medical care for those affected by the storm.
The meteorological picture shows the first tropical system of the season now inland, moving northeast with moderate forward speed. Forecasters note sustained winds and gusts that briefly intensify as the system lingers near river basins and mountainous terrain. National weather agencies have established containment and monitoring zones to guide response efforts, warn communities at risk, and organize resource mobilization. The coordination between regional meteorology offices and central authorities aims to provide timely updates on wind, rainfall, and flood forecasts, enabling communities to implement protective actions, secure homes, and seek safer shelter when advised. Residents along coastal and inland flood-prone corridors are urged to stay informed through official channels and to heed evacuation orders or advisories as the system evolves across the region.