Introduction
An atypical rainstorm on Saturday caused significant damage in Mexico City’s Magdalena Contreras district, affecting 87 properties, with 12 suffering structural damage. The local authorities and the city government launched an inter-institutional operation involving over 1,200 officials to address the emergency without any reported injuries.
Key Players and Relevance
Clara Brugada Molina, the Head of Government for Mexico City, led a press conference on Sunday in the affected San Jerónimo Lídice neighborhood, one of the hardest-hit areas along with Lomas Quebradas, La Malinche, and Lomas de San Bernabé. Fernando Mercado Guaida, the Magdalena Contreras mayor, detailed the most affected zones by the storm.
The Storm’s Impact
The storm brought more than 60.7 millimeters of rain in less than an hour, exceeding the usual average by more than double. This heavy rain caused water levels to reach up to 1.2 meters in some homes, resulting in total loss of furniture, household items, and structural damage in at least 12 properties.
Affected Areas
- Lomas Quebradas
- San Jerónimo Lídice
- La Malinche
- Lomas de San Bernabé
Damages to Residential and Public Spaces
Besides private homes, the Casa Popular de San Jerónimo was severely affected, including its gymnasium, machine room, and swimming pool’s water heaters. Other damages were reported in public spaces and even a church in Lomas Quebradas.
Government Response and Support
The city government activated the Tlaloque program for flood response. More than 400 people started cleanup efforts on Saturday night, supported by specialized equipment like motobombas, Hércules units, water tankers, and tools to clear drains.
- Insurance adjusters from the city government began visiting homes on Sunday to assess damages and initiate support management.
- The Secretariat of Well-being set up community kitchens to ensure hot meals for affected families and opened a temporary shelter starting at 7:00 PM on Saturday.
“Within 24 hours, over 70% of the affected homes were addressed, and their residents received institutional support,” said Mayor Fernando Mercado.
Cleaning Barranca La Coyotera
Another intervened area was Barranca La Coyotera in Lomas Quebradas, which collapsed due to the force of water carrying solid waste. The Secretariat for the Environment immediately started cleanup work as part of an urban barrancas recovery program.
Collaborative Efforts
Brugada acknowledged the work of Civil Protection, the Heroic Firefighters Corps, and volunteers from the “Cóndores” group who joined cleanup efforts in homes since Saturday afternoon.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was affected by the storm? Over 87 properties in Mexico City’s Magdalena Contreras district were affected, with 12 suffering structural damage.
- What caused the extensive damage? An atypical rainstorm brought more than 60.7 millimeters of rain in less than an hour, causing water levels to reach up to 1.2 meters in some homes.
- Which areas were most affected? Lomas Quebradas, San Jerónimo Lídice, La Malinche, and Lomas de San Bernabé were the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
- What support was provided by the government? The city government activated the Tlaloque program, set up community kitchens, opened a temporary shelter, and deployed insurance adjusters to assess damages.
- What other efforts were made? The Secretariat for the Environment started cleaning Barranca La Coyotera, and collaborative efforts were recognized involving Civil Protection, firefighters, and volunteers.
