Torrential rains battered communities along the Texas-Mexico border this week, leading to widespread flooding, tragic loss of life, and a massive emergency response effort that extended into Friday. The region, particularly vulnerable due to its low-lying geography, was inundated with historic levels of rainfall that overwhelmed drainage systems and left hundreds of residents stranded in their homes or trapped in vehicles. Rescue teams worked around the clock to reach those in distress, while the full scale of the damage continues to emerge. So far, authorities have confirmed at least four deaths, with drowning among the primary causes.
On the U.S. side of the border, Hidalgo County bore the brunt of the deluge, recording over 21 inches of rain in areas like Harlingen. This part of the Rio Grande Valley is known for its farmland, and early assessments indicate that the storm dealt a severe blow to local agriculture and livestock. Tragic stories have begun to surface, including that of Jionni Ochoa from Palm Valley, who recounted the moment floodwaters began entering his home, rising to knee height and seeping through electrical outlets. Despite shutting off power and trying to save their belongings, Ochoa and his wife watched their efforts unravel as the water floated and destroyed everything they had tried to protect.
Details around the fatalities remain limited, but county officials confirmed that at least three of the deaths in Texas were related to law enforcement activity during rescue operations. Meanwhile, in Reynosa, Mexico — directly across from McAllen, Texas — an 83-year-old man tragically drowned, as confirmed by local authorities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also reported a fatal incident involving a suspected smuggler who drove into a flooded canal. The body of one person was found, and another remains missing. It’s not yet clear whether this case is included in the official death toll from Hidalgo County.
Communities like Alamo and Weslaco in Texas faced urgent and repeated calls for help. Emergency crews carried out over 100 rescues in Alamo alone, according to Fire Chief R.C. Flores, while Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez reported similar efforts in his city, which experienced nearly 14 inches of rain. He emphasized that the disaster was not confined to one area but had impacted the entire Valley. Power outages swept across the region, disrupting daily life and prompting over 20 school districts and colleges to shut down. Harlingen’s Valley International Airport also ceased operations temporarily due to the flooding.
Across the border in northeastern Mexico, the state of Tamaulipas was also heavily affected. Rainfall reached up to 12 inches in some areas, prompting the deployment of over 600 military personnel to assist with flood response. Reynosa remained the hardest-hit area, but cities such as Rio Bravo, Miguel Alemán, and parts of Matamoros also faced dangerous conditions. Many residents were left without electricity, and although power was being gradually restored, it remained unclear how many were still in the dark. For people like Emma Alaniz, who lives in a rural neighborhood near the border, navigating the aftermath meant being stranded. Without a large vehicle, she described her home as being isolated like an island amid the floodwaters, unsure when she’d be able to leave.