GUAYMAS, Mexico — The death toll from flash flooding in Guaymas, a port city in Mexico's northwestern Sonora state, has risen to two, according to an update published by Infobae on Saturday and reported by SonoraPresente. Both men were travelling in a car that was swept away by the current of a swollen creek in the Misión del Sol neighbourhood and became trapped beneath a bridge.
Source: SonoraPresente, citing Infobae update, Oct 31
The flooding followed an extraordinary burst of rain. Rainfall in Guaymas reached approximately 120 millimetres in 45 minutes, according to the Infobae report — triple the 40 millimetres that had initially been estimated for a 12-hour period. The rain was linked in local reporting to the remnants of the tropical system Vance, which had been forecast by Mexico's National Meteorological Service to bring 50 to 75 millimetres to parts of Sonora.
The first death had been reported on Friday, when heavy rain since early that morning flooded streets in Guaymas and neighbouring Empalme and currents swept away vehicles. Guaymas Mayor Karla Córdova González confirmed the first death during a visit to the south of the city, local newspapers El Imparcial and Expreso reported, and firefighters' water-rescue team recovered the body from the car wedged under the bridge on Tetabiate Boulevard, where a second vehicle was also found. A woman was also reported swept away by the current on Abelardo L. Rodríguez Avenue on Friday; her condition was not officially disclosed in that reporting.
Homes flooded, power poles hit, shelter opened
In the updated tally, five homes were reported flooded in the Mirador neighbourhood, with water about 10 centimetres deep, and the rainfall affected six high-voltage power poles, with crews inspecting them to prevent further risks. Waterlogging and flooding were also reported on roads in downtown Guaymas, along the tourist boardwalk and in other parts of the city. In Empalme, flooding was concentrated in low-lying areas where water and runoff from the mountains accumulated, and Civil Protection personnel toured the municipality to identify danger spots and assess damage.
The Sonora government has deployed an operation involving Civil Protection, the Mexican Navy, the Mexican Army, the National Guard, the State Police, firefighters and municipal agencies. The Navy activated the relief phase of its Navy Plan — it had earlier activated the plan's Assistance Phase through the Second Naval Region — and an Emergency Operations Committee was established. The Fátima Development Center was set up as a temporary shelter. The Guaymas harbour master's office had closed navigation on Friday morning for vessels under 500 UAB because of strong winds, high waves and rain.
Sonora Civil Protection warned that storms would continue and urged people to avoid travelling and not to cross creeks, flooded streets or currents, to follow official notices, and to call 911 in an emergency. The Navy also made 800 627 4621 available to request assistance.
At the close of Friday, authorities had not yet presented a final economic assessment or a consolidated count of victims, homes and businesses affected, and response and assessment efforts were continuing on Saturday. This story names no victims: a name circulating in social-media video summaries of the flooding could not be confirmed in the reputable reporting used here, so it is not published.