# Flooding, fatalities, and cyclone risk in Veracruz > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/flooding-and-heavy-rainfall-in-veracruz > Updated: 2026-10-21T19:09:42.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 8. Heavy rainfall in Veracruz, driven by the interaction of Cold Front No. 1 with a tropical trough, continues to cause flooding, landslides, and road closures across at least 10 municipalities, including Xalapa, Castillo de Teayo, Álamo Temapache, and Huayacocotla. The Veracruz Civil Protection Secretariat maintains a ‘Grey Alert’ (Action Phase) via the Early Warning System (SIATVER). While river levels in the Tecolutla and Cazones basins have risen significantly, they currently remain within normal parameters. However, meteorological models indicate a 40 percent chance that the weather system could organize into a tropical cyclone within the next seven days. In response, emergency plans such as Tajín, DN-III-E, and Marina have been activated, and temporary shelters have been established for displaced residents. The weather has resulted in fatalities and infrastructure damage. In Zongolica, 76-year-old Serafín Apale Xocua died after being swept away by a current in the Totomachapa ravine. Civil Protection Secretary Guadalupe Osorno Maldonado reported that storms triggered multiple landslides, including four in Zongolica, a mudflow affecting a home in Zacualpan, and sinkholes on the Atzacan-Orizaba and La Sidra-Dos Ríos roads. Additionally, a man was killed in a vehicle strike on the Tampico-Tuxpan federal highway near Tampico Alto. Recent developments show that in southern Veracruz, authorities have initiated preventive evacuations in communities at risk of flooding from the rising Uxpanapa River. The state government has activated DN-III-E, Navy, National Guard, and Tajín plans to support prevention and surveillance efforts. Furthermore, the Veracruz Secretariat of Education has suspended classes in 10 municipalities in the south and the Los Tuxtlas region due to the weather. In northern Veracruz, heavy rains have caused localized flooding in Pánuco, where approximately 70 homes in the Lázaro Cárdenas and Santa Elena neighborhoods experienced water levels up to 10 centimeters. ## Claims - Heavy rains in Xalapa, Veracruz, resulted in at least two deaths. (corroborated by 8 sources) - State Civil Protection activated Plan Tajín to coordinate emergency responses across multiple levels of government. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The SPC has activated the Gray Alert (Action Phase) for Veracruz due to intense rain forecasts. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Flooding and street inundations were reported across 26 neighborhoods in Xalapa. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Aldea Meced temporary shelter was opened in the Juan de la Luz Enríquez neighborhood. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Xalapa City Council recorded 31 landslides following the heavy rains. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Emergency response plans Tajín, DN-III-E, and Marina remain active. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Preliminary reports indicate at least 20 homes were affected by the storms. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Secretariat of Economic and Port Development (Sedecop) is conducting a diagnostic of businesses affected by the rains to propose aid. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Road closures and interruptions occurred in Castillo de Teayo due to rising water levels in the Mequetla stream. (corroborated by 2 sources) - There is a 40 percent probability that the interaction between Cold Front 1 and a trough will organize into a tropical cyclone within seven days. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-21: Heavy rains and dam releases trigger flood alerts in Mexico Heavy rains and dam releases have caused flooding and prompted evacuations in Veracruz and cleanup operations in Campeche, Mexico. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/heavy-rains-and-dam-releases-trigger-flood-alerts-in-mexico ### 2026-10-11: Veracruz invests in early warning systems and emergency aircraft Veracruz is investing in early warning systems, river monitoring, and new emergency aircraft to improve disaster response and flood prevention in the state's northern regions. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veracruz-to-receive-emergency-helicopters-and-new-river-alert-systems ### 2026-10-05: Veracruz experiences fatalities and damage from rain and accidents Heavy rains in Veracruz, Mexico, have caused one death by drowning and widespread damage, including landslides and sinkholes. A separate hit-and-run accident on the Tampico-Tuxpan highway also resulted in a man 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veracruz-experiences-fatalities-and-damage-from-rain-and-accidents ### 2026-10-04: Veracruz under Gray Alert as heavy rains and cyclone risk persist Veracruz is under a Gray Alert as heavy rains from a cold front and trough cause flooding and landslides. There is a 40% chance the system could develop into a tropical cyclone within a week. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veracruz-authorities-issue-alert-amid-heavy-rains-and-flooding ### 2026-10-02: Veracruz faces flooding and water disruptions Heavy rains have caused flooding and power outages in Veracruz, while maintenance work in Boca del Río is expected to disrupt water supplies through Saturday. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veracruz-flooding-hits-el-cortijo-residential-area ### 2026-10-01: Xalapa authorities respond to heavy rainfall and landslides Xalapa authorities responded to extreme rainfall that caused 163 landslides and 78 flooding points, deploying over 500 workers to clear debris and manage emergency reports across 29 neighborhoods. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xalapa-authorities-respond-to-heavy-rainfall-and-landslides ### 2026-09-29: Xalapa flooding causes two deaths and widespread damage in Veracruz Heavy rains in Xalapa, Veracruz, caused at least two deaths, 31 landslides, and flooding in 26 neighborhoods. Authorities have activated Plan Tajín and opened emergency shelters to assist residents. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xalapa-floods-cause-two-deaths-and-widespread-damage-in-veracruz ### 2026-09-25: Veracruz authorities monitor flooding and rising rivers in northern state Heavy rains in northern Veracruz have caused flooding in Pánuco and Tihuatlán, prompting pumping operations and the opening of a temporary shelter in Isla as authorities monitor rising river levels. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veracruz-authorities-monitor-flooding-and-rising-rivers-in-northern-state --- Cite as: Flooding, fatalities, and cyclone risk in Veracruz. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/flooding-and-heavy-rainfall-in-veracruz