Tens of thousands of homes flooded in Mexico
Pastor Dale Morgan
Tens of thousands of homes flooded in Mexico*
The Associated Press
Friday, November 6, 2009; 10:14 PM
VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico -- A week of torrential rain has flooded the homes
of more than 200,000 people along Mexico's Gulf coast, officials said
Friday. Residents in some towns complained that no help had arrived.
The flooding in eastern Tabasco state has worsened as rains persist and
more rivers overflow their banks. Three people drowned earlier in the
week while trying to flee a torrent of water in a drainage canal.
People "are in a desperate situation," Tabasco Gov. Andres Granier said,
but he added that many were ignoring pleas to move to shelters for fear
their homes would be looted.
The floods affect more than a dozen towns.
Santos Perez Jimenez said no help had arrived in his rural community of
Luis Cabrera.
"We're trying to get our things out as best we can," Perez Jimenez said.
"We've radioed for help several times but they have not paid attention
to us."
An estimated 20,000 people were in 100 shelters set up by the state.
Others, however, set up makeshift tents on dry land near their soaked
homes, fearing looting.
"This is the closest we can be to our stuff. And we are used to these
floods," said Rebecca Rodriguez, who was living under a plastic sheet
along a stretch of highway between Tabasco and Veracruz state.
Floods occur yearly in Tabasco despite government efforts to improve
infrastructure. In 2007, floods left 1 million homes under water and
killed 33 people.