The sprawling remains of Hurricane Alex drenched much of northern Mexico on Thursday, paralyzing the major city of Monterrey. At least two people were killed when dry rivers roared to life and highways turned into rushing streams.
Hurricane Alex ripped off roofs, caused severe flooding and forced thousands to flee coastal fishing villages as it hit land Wednesday in the border state of Tamaulipas. The storm weakened to a tropical storm Thursday as it moved west to Nuevo Leon state, but it still caused major problems. The dry Santa Catarina river that cuts through Monterrey roared to life, sweeping away cars and parts of rickety, wooden homes built along its path.
One man died when he was caught by a torrent of water along a six-lane highway and another man was founded drowned by side of a creek, officials said.
Nuevo Leon state Gov. Rodrigo Medina de la Cruz told the Televisa he had ordered all schools closed and appealed for people to stay home from all but essential jobs. De la Cruz said Alex had already dumped 16 inches of rain in some areas. However, most of the 2,500 people who stayed in shelters overnight boarded buses back to their coastal villages Thursday. "The city is practically under water," said Saul Hernandez Bautista. "But the most important thing is that there was no loss of life. We took important ... measures to evacuate people."
It was the first June hurricane in the Atlantic since 1995, according to the hurricane center. Earlier, Alex whipped up high waves that frustrated oil-spill cleanup efforts on the other side of the Gulf.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
