Race to save Mexico flood victims

[eppur_se_muova]

Source: BBC

A massive rescue operation is under way in the south Mexican state of Tabasco after rains caused the worst flooding in the low-lying state's history.

As many as 700,000 people are believed to be affected by the floods, and almost half that number are thought to be trapped in their homes.

Most of the state is under water and its governor has urged anyone who owns a boat to help the rescue operation.

Rescuers are using helicopters to try to reach people stranded on rooftops.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7074271.stm

[Mojorabbit]

1. That is a lot of people

Is there anywhere that one could send a donation?

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Maybe someone who reads Spanish could locate a charity??

Probably the Red Cross will be involved; you could make a donation to their INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE FUND, specifying Mexico as the beneficiary. (redcross.org)

Articles in Spanish at http://www.tabasco.gob.mx / (gubmint Web page); maybe they have info on that too.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. The Red Cross are certainly there

From the article:

An organiser for the Red Cross in Mexico City, Gustave Medinas, said many private citizens were bringing donations ranging from milk to articles of personal hygiene.

"The aid has been sent by helicopters, by Red Cross vans, and then by boat," he told the BBC's World Today programme.

"With the help that we are sending, and the co-operation of all the people who are bringing aid, and with the army, we think that we can manage."

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Update: Mexican floods strand 300,000; more rain ahead (AP/CNN)

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico (AP) -- Rescuers in boats and helicopters worked early Friday to evacuate people stranded by a flood the president called "one of the worst natural disasters" to hit Mexico.

A week of heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, leaving 70 percent of the Gulf state of Tabasco underwater, and forcing thousands of people to cling to rooftops or flee to shelters. It is the worst flooding the state has seen in 50 years.

Nearly all services, including drinking water and public transportation, were shut down in the state capital, Villahermosa, 80 percent of which was underwater.

"The situation is extraordinarily grave: This is one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the country," Mexico's President Felipe Calderon said in a televised address Thursday night.

The rain had stopped Thursday, but weather forecasters predicted more precipitation in the coming days. The flooding was not related to Tropical Storm Noel, which pounded the Caribbean.
***
more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/11/02/mexico.flo...

[gateley]

5. Mexican floods strand 300,000; more rain ahead

Source: cnn.com

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico (AP) -- Rescuers in boats and helicopters worked early Friday to evacuate people stranded by a flood the president called "one of the worst natural disasters" to hit Mexico.

A week of heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, leaving 70 percent of the Gulf state of Tabasco underwater, and forcing thousands of people to cling to rooftops or flee to shelters. It is the worst flooding the state has seen in 50 years.

Nearly all services, including drinking water and public transportation, were shut down in the state capital, Villahermosa, 80 percent of which was underwater.

"The situation is extraordinarily grave: This is one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the country," Mexico's President Felipe Calderon said in a televised address Thursday night.

snip

(article continues)

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/11/02/mexico.flo...

[shireen]

6. just saw that on tv ... reminiscent of Katrina

heart-breaking.

[acmavm]

7. Let's see if THEIR pResident helps the people. Ours sure as

hell didn't. Well, maybe a select few.

[Synnical]

8. AP: 900,000 affected by Mexican floods

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071102/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/m... ;_ylt=Al70snudHF5dk8mGacf4lses0NUE

. . . .

But the water rose quickly, surprising residents used to annual floods and forcing soldiers to evacuate the historic city center. The dikes failed Thursday night, and water swamped the capital's bus station and open-air market.

Rain gave way to sunshine Friday, but tens of thousands of people were still stranded on rooftops or in the upper floors of their homes. Rescue workers used tractors, helicopters, jet skis and boats to ferry people to safety, while others swam through water infested by poisonous snakes to reach higher ground.

Calderon met with state officials, flew over the affected areas and visited a makeshift shelter. The extent of the flooding was clear from the sky — Tabasco state seemed like an inland sea with only rooftops and treetops protruding from the water.

In a televised address late Thursday, the president called on Mexicans to donate emergency supplies as the government trucked in bottled water, food and clothing.

"The situation is extraordinarily grave. This is one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the country," Calderon said.

. . . .

[pitohui]

9. terrifying

i hope the loss of life is not too great, it sounds like they have a HUGE job on their hands

i wonder if usa and canada are sending any help, canada was a great help during katrina, the usa should also do something even if we're fairly useless at least as a gesture to one of our closest allies and oil suppliers, even if * doesn't have the soul to help for any other reason