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'Biblical' Flood Ravages Mexico

Million flee homes amid fears of disease, food and water shortages

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2007 5:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – Shortages of food, drinking water, and medicine threaten southeastern Mexico, where muddy flood waters cover 80% of the state of Tabasco and almost a million people have had to flee their homes. "The scene here is terrible, it's biblical," a Red Cross official told the Guardian, as a huge effort was mounted to rescue 300,000 people still trapped on roofs by surging waters.

Among the worst hit was the state capital, Villahermosa, built in a bowl below sea level, prompting comparisons with New Orleans. President Felipe Calderón called the flood "one of the worst disasters in the history of the country." Many of the buildings earlier designated as shelters are now under water, and continuing rains are predicted for the weekend.

Flood victims are evacuated with the help of the Mexico's Navy in Villahermosa in Mexico's Gulf coast, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007.  Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans fled the flooded region of the swampy Gulf coast Friday.  (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
Flood victims are evacuated with the help of the Mexico's Navy in Villahermosa in Mexico's Gulf coast, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans fled the flooded region of the swampy Gulf...   (Associated Press)
In this picture released by Mexico's Presidential Press Office, a flooded neighborhood is seen in Villahermosa in Mexico's Gulf coast, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans fled the flooded region of the swampy Gulf coast Friday. (AP Photo/Alfredo Guerrero, Mexico Presidential Press Office)
In this picture released by Mexico's Presidential Press Office, a flooded neighborhood is seen in Villahermosa in Mexico's Gulf coast, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans fled the...   (Associated Press)
In this picture released by Mexico's Presidential Press Office, a flooded neighborhood is seen in Villahermosa in Mexico's Gulf coast, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans fled the flooded region of the swampy Gulf coast Friday. (AP Photo/Alfredo Guerrero, Mexico Presidential Press Office)
In this picture released by Mexico's Presidential Press Office, a flooded neighborhood is seen in Villahermosa in Mexico's Gulf coast, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans fled the...   (Associated Press)
A neighborhood sits under floodwaters in Villahermosa, Mexico, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans fled the flooded region of the swampy Gulf coast Friday. (AP Photo/America Rocio)
A neighborhood sits under floodwaters in Villahermosa, Mexico, Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans fled the flooded region of the swampy Gulf coast Friday. (AP Photo/America Rocio)   (Associated Press)
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