"Thank God we're still standing"; residents of Poza Rica and Álamo commemorate one year since the flood in Veracruz

Residents of Poza Rica and Álamo Temapache commemorated the first anniversary of the October 10, 2025 flood in the northern part of Veracruz, caused by the overflowing of the Cazones and Pantepec rivers. In Poza Rica, residents presented a documentary to honor the memory of the 27 people who died, according to official figures, in various neighborhoods where the water reached eight meters high. "Where the Water Did Not Wash Away Hope" is the title of the video produced by the site "I Love Poza Rica," based on videos, photographs, and testimonies shared by residents of Poza Rica about the moments they experienced a year ago and which they remember with sadness upon seeing that they lost part of their assets. Flooding in Poza Rica and Álamo, Veracruz (10/10/2026). Photo: Courtesy Likewise, starting at seven in the evening, they will repeat the "Lodo Fest" concert in the Ignacio de la Llave and Granjas neighborhoods, which became popular while the area was recovering from the natural disaster. Also, authorities in Poza Rica and Álamo simultaneously carried out a drill activating alarms for the risk of flooding due to overflowing rivers and streams. "It still hurts to remember that night and to leave as fast as you could, and to come back and see that everything had been lost. Thank God we are still standing and moving forward; despite everything we lived through, we were never alone — there were always people who showed up to help us. God bless them," said Kathy Cruz, a resident of Poza Rica, one of the hardest-hit municipalities. Aftermath of the flooding in Poza Rica and Álamo, Veracruz (10/10/2026). Photo: Courtesy Meanwhile, Hipólito Moreno Tapia, a resident of Álamo Temapache, stated that a year after the tragedy, the Pantepec River is relatively calm, but its level can change at any moment. "A year after the emergency, which was on Friday, October 10, 2025, when the Pantepec River overflowed, along with other important streams. With the river's rise, all those tributaries converged and flooded the neighborhoods in the low-lying area of Álamo," he said. "The Pantepec River flows down from the state of Puebla, but kilometers upstream it connects with the Vinazo River. Toward the south, this river advances and some 18 kilometers downstream it has another name and is called the Tuxpan River; although it is the same waterway, it is already called the Tuxpan River and flows into the Gulf of Mexico," he added. Residents of Poza Rica and Álamo commemorate one year since the flood in Veracruz (10/10/2026). Photo: Courtesy You may be interested in: Hurricane "Simón" and storm "Rachel" expected to batter 7 states with rain; see the affected municipalities According to its trajectory, Simón will make landfall this Sunday in Jalisco, reports Sheinbaum; 4 states suspend non-essential activities Non-essential activities suspended in four states due to "Simón"; hurricane maintains Category 4 nro