Perilous Times and Climate Change
Heavy rains pound Mexican states, killing at least 15
From Esprit Smith, CNN
July 9, 2010 5:49 a.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Mexican President Felipe Calderon promises federal aid
* Three states clean up after torrential rains soak area
* The latest tropical depression comes on the heels of Hurricane
Alex
(CNN) -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon promised federal aid to
three states after torrential rains soaked the area, leaving at least
15 dead and forcing the evacuation of thousands.
The latest tropical depression comes on the heels of Hurricane Alex,
which pounded the region last week. The states of Nuevo Leon,
Tamaulipas and Coahuila started cleanup efforts Thursday as Calderon
pledged his support at a news conference.
Nuevo Leon was the most affected, with the15 fatalities from the state
and at least 43 municipalities declared states of emergency.
Many key intersections and highways throughout the state, particularly
in and around Monterrey, were closed because of mudslides, according to
state-run Notimex.
The national defense secretary and other federal agencies have
established more than two dozen shelters in the three states, evacuated
nearly 10,000 people and provided accommodations for at least 4,030.
The number of fatalities in other states was not immediately available.
Calderon said the government will provide "unconditional support" to
the states as they start cleanup efforts.
"We will spare no effort to support the people that have suffered the
effects of this phenomenon, Hurricane Alex, that has been the worst
natural disaster in recent memory that Monterrey has suffered in
particular and that the northeast has suffered in general," the
president said.
In the state of Tamaulipas, the Interior Ministry issued a natural
disaster declaration for 19 municipalities. It allows the state to
access resources from the natural disaster fund, the ministry said in a
news release.
At least 16 municipalities in the state of Coahuila are under a state
of emergency as well, the national defense secretary said.
Calderon surveyed the areas aerially, and federal and local authorities
continue to assess damage and provide support to the affected regions.
Red alerts have been issued in locations near major rivers as waters
continue to rise.
Agencies have also teamed up to conduct medical evaluations, and
provide hot meals and water to those in the hardest-hit areas, the
national defense secretary said in a news release.
Military forces have been working around the clock to clean up debris
from roads and homes.