Overview of the Situation
Querétaro, Qro. Intense rainfall on Friday afternoon and night led to various impacts across the state of Querétaro, primarily affecting the northern and southern areas of the capital.
Preliminary reports indicate two individuals lost their lives: on Friday night, the Municipal Coordination of Protection Civil in Querétaro reported finding the bodies of two people, presumably swept away by rainwater, in the Peñuelas neighborhood.
Damage Assessment and Recovery Efforts
The State Coordination of Protection Civil of Querétaro (CEPCQ) stated that personnel from various institutions are conducting tours in affected areas to evaluate damages and advance recovery actions.
On Friday, heavy rainfall with punctual intense intervals, similar to a torrential downpour, occurred in the state capital starting at 6:00 PM, moving towards the northern and northeastern parts of the city. The rain continued through the early morning hours, causing waterlogging in various streets and significant runoff, primarily affecting the southern and northern zones of the city.
- Initial reports included waterlogging in streets and water ingress into homes in the Felix Osores Sotomayor delegation, specifically in the Satélite, Peñuelas, Sauces, El Rocío, Fundadores, and neighboring colonies.
- Similar issues were reported in the Felipe Carrillo Puerto delegation, including colonies like Carrillo, Santa Maria Magdalena, and Santa Monica.
Meanwhile, interdisciplinary brigades and emergency teams are working on damage assessment and providing assistance to affected areas, according to the coordination.
More Rain Expected; Safety Precautions Urgently Needed
Querétaro’s Secretary of Government, Eric Gudiño Torres, reported that authorities at all levels of government are working together to address the situation, including municipal, state, and Mexican Army institutions.
Secretary Gudiño warned that heavy rain is expected to continue on Saturday, urging the public to avoid risky situations.
“All state and municipal government teams are focusing on dividing tasks across the municipality. Yesterday, we experienced an extremely heavy rainfall. (…) It will continue to rain in the city of Querétaro and neighboring municipalities today. Please take care, avoid channels, torrents on streets; all emergency and security areas of the state are coordinating to respond to this situation.”
Querétaro’s mayor, Felipe Fernando Macías Olvera, confirmed that the rainfall intensity on Friday night reached 80 millimeters per square meter. He noted that rain is considered strong when it exceeds 30 millimeters per square meter. Authorities have been addressing reports received through emergency line 911 to assist the population in the capital’s seven delegations since Friday night.
General of Brigade José Guillermo Lira Hernández, commander of the Seventeenth Military Zone, emphasized that all levels of government are collaborating in the recovery phase. They will continue with planning, coordination, and execution activities to address the ongoing situation.
For Saturday, the CEPCQ forecasts thunderstorms in the Metropolitan Area, southern and central regions of the state, as well as light to moderate rain in the mountainous areas.
Key Questions and Answers
- What happened during the heavy rainfall in Querétaro? Intense rain caused waterlogging, runoff, and other impacts primarily in the northern and southern areas of Querétaro City, affecting streets and homes.
- How many people lost their lives due to the rain? Two individuals were reported missing and later found deceased, presumably swept away by rainwater in the Peñuelas neighborhood.
- What are authorities doing to address the situation? Authorities at all levels of government are working together, with emergency teams assessing damages and providing assistance to affected areas.
- What is the weather forecast for Saturday? Thunderstorms are expected in the Metropolitan Area, southern and central regions of the state. Light to moderate rain is forecast for the mountainous areas.
- What safety precautions should people take? Authorities urge the public to avoid channels, torrents on streets, and other risky situations due to ongoing heavy rain.
