Photo by _…:::Celuloide:::…_ and used with a Creative Commons license

Since the beginning of the month the state of Tabasco, Mexico has been incrementally flooding due to massive rains. Today, more than 80% of the state is completely flooded leaving thousands homeless, and stalling the economy. all their crops have been lost. The whole state has been declared disaster zone, and it will take more than three months to clear the water from the area. Many are saying that this a worse scenario that New Orleans.

Bucefalo [ES] writes from firsthand experience and provides a list of needed supplies:

Estamos sin agua potable, ya no hay camiones que repartan agua purificada…las despensas se están agotando, y las compras de pánico ya se dieron, y queda poco, pero tampoco pueden surtirse por obvias razones. Y los que tienen todavía algo, se aprovechan con precios exagerados. Lo que no entiendo es por qué las filas para cargar gasolina (donde por cierto solo queda magna), si estamos rodeados de agua y nadie puede salir.

We are without potable water and there are no trucks to distribute the purified water….the supplies are running out and there have already been purchases due to panic and very little remains, but it cannot be stocked for obvious reasons. For those that still have things on the shelves, take advantage of the situation with exaggerated prices. I don't understand the long lines to fill up on gasoline, if we are all surrounded by water and no one can leave.

Enigmatario [ES] provide a very rich coverage of the tragedy with hour by hour updates.

J.S. Zolliker from Realidad Novelada [ES] several statistics regarding the current events.

• 850 towns are flooded—approximately 70 percent of the state—with flood levels ranging from 2 inches to 36 feet
• An estimated 80,000 households have lost all personal property
• Nearly 30,000 people were housed in 269 shelters.
• More rain is expected in the coming days

Mexico has declared a state of emergency in all 17 municipalities of Tabasco State.

• The government of Mexico and humanitarian agencies are unable to reach many communities as a result of the flooded roadways and raging waters.
• Government of Mexico reports indicate that as many as 300,000 people are currently cut off from assistance due to the rising water.
• The Mexican government has issued flood alerts for the neighbouring state of Chiapas and has begun evacuating communities in high risk areas.
• Priority needs include food, water, health care and basic relief items, such as hygiene materials and clean up supplies.

The Secretary of Public Health announced that during this week a mass fumigation will take place to avoid the emerging of possible diseases. He also promotes preventive measures such as burying dead animals and getting rid of stalled water in public areas.

Government expects the emergence of diseases and the recovery efforts while they have been fast, they don't suffice the requirements. The scale of this tragedy has overwhelmed all the governments capacity. Lucky the entire country has been quick to answer to the relief call.

Margarita Almada points us to several ways we can donate anything from 20 pesos (USD$2) to food, water, and clothes and lists where to send the funds.

Videos are posted by Daria that shows an aerial view of the damage.