Veracruz Flooding 2013: 600 People Evacuated In Mexico After Cold Front 12 Hits

Torrential rain in the Mexican state of Veracruz has caused chaos for inhabitants due to severe flooding following a srong cold front striking the coast. Rivers have broken their banks, while mudslides have stopped traffic on two major highways. Over 600 people have been evacuated, according to emergency services, mostly from the municipalities of Minatitlán and Coatzacoalcos as well as the Valley of Uxanapa in the south.

Flooding has been caused by heavy rain over the last few days. Schools across Veracruz have been closed as residents prepared for further flooding. Catemaco Lagoon has risen to over half a metre above its regular levels, causing major flooding in the surrounding township. Indeed, the Federal Comission of Electricity (CFE) ordered the dam at Chilapan to be opened. The wind brought on by the cold front has also felled trees.

The coastal areas have also been affected by this weather pattern, called Cold Front 12. Waves of up to 9 feet have been reported and winds of up to 60 miles an hour, while winds in the state's capital, Xalapa reached nearly 50 miles an hour. There are as yet no casualties reported.