Storms leave streets and hospitals flooded in Texas

Heavy rain and strong winds turned March 27 into a chaotic scene for Reynosa, in northern Tamaulipas, and McAllen, in southern Texas. Two massive storms—one in the early morning and another in the afternoon—triggered widespread flooding, overwhelming streets, hospitals, and commercial zones on both sides of the border. Local authorities and emergency services scrambled to assist affected residents, while warnings of potential tornadoes and overflowing channels kept the region on high alert. Described as critical by residents and officials alike, the situation laid bare the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme weather events.

The first wave of rain hit in the predawn hours, catching many off guard. In Reynosa, water quickly swamped streets like Hidalgo and Morelos, with vehicles floating in neighborhoods such as El Olmo and Jarachina Norte. Across the border in McAllen, similar scenes unfolded, with the Plaza Mall parking lot partially submerged and the McAllen Medical Center suffering structural damage after a wall buckled under water pressure. Reports indicate rainfall exceeded 150 millimeters in just a few hours, far surpassing initial forecasts from meteorological services.

By 2 p.m., a second storm worsened the crisis. In Pharr, a neighboring city to McAllen, commercial areas were engulfed by floodwaters, while in Reynosa, the IMSS Clinic 15 saw its maternity ward flooded, forcing the transfer of pregnant women to other facilities. The mix of torrential rain and winds up to 70 km/h sparked a flurry of emergencies, from people trapped in cars to simultaneous calls that overwhelmed response lines. Efforts included the activation of Mexico’s DN-III-E Plan in Tamaulipas and flash flood warnings issued by the U.S. National Weather Service.

• Streets blocked by water and debris.
• Hospitals and clinics impacted in both cities.
• Imminent risk of tornadoes in the border region.

Immediate impacts on affected cities

The collapse of road infrastructure was one of the most striking effects of the storms. In Reynosa, at least 27 neighborhoods faced severe flooding, with currents sweeping cars and furniture through streets. Plaza Real, a key commercial hub, saw its businesses invaded by water, while traffic agents helped elderly residents trapped in shops near Hidalgo Boulevard. The crisis prompted the National Guard to focus on rescuing drivers in high-risk zones, such as flooded underpasses and low-lying crossings.

In McAllen, the emergency reached critical levels with the flooding of a golf course and the failure of traffic lights, leading to gridlock and collisions. Water levels, reaching up to 30 centimeters in some spots, disrupted essential services. The McAllen Medical Center struggled to operate after a wall gave way, while in Pharr, the damage centered on commercial districts, with stores and parking lots underwater. The border proximity compounded logistical challenges, as cross-border traffic ground to a halt.

Response efforts were swift but strained. In Tamaulipas, emergency teams handled over 50 simultaneous calls, including rescues of people swept away by currents and public transport units displaced by the water’s force. In the U.S., the National Weather Service issued severe storm warnings until 6:30 p.m., cautioning about wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and possible hail. Coordination between the two nations was vital to manage the crisis, though the full scope of the damage remains under assessment.

Heightened alert and additional risks

Saturated soil and forecasts of more rain put authorities on maximum alert. In Reynosa, the threat of overflowing channels, drains, and creeks loomed large, particularly in riverside areas. Civil protection teams closely monitored water levels, urging residents to steer clear of low-lying zones and seek higher ground. While the likelihood of tornadoes was deemed low, it wasn’t ruled out, with strong winds already recorded in Díaz Ordaz around 1:30 p.m.

Across the border, the situation was equally dire. The National Weather Service maintained a flood watch covering cities like Brownsville, Corpus Christi, and Laredo, alongside McAllen. Forecasts suggested some areas could see an additional 10 to 15 centimeters of rain in the coming hours, potentially worsening existing floods. High humidity and shifting wind patterns were cited as factors that could trigger storm rotations, raising the chance of isolated twisters.

Rescue operations deployed boats to evacuate residents from heavily hit areas, such as near the Trinity River, where entire communities were cut off. In McAllen, the Plaza Mall parking lot became a stark symbol of the crisis, with images of submerged cars spreading widely online. Authorities on both sides stressed a unified message: avoid flooded streets and follow safety guidelines to prevent further incidents.

• Risk of channel overflows in Reynosa.
• Forecast of up to 15 cm more rain in Texas Valley.
• Chance of isolated tornadoes in the region.

Timeline of the March 27 storms

March 27 unfolded as a series of intense weather events. Here’s a breakdown of key moments:

• Predawn: First storm strikes Reynosa and McAllen with heavy rain and moderate winds.
• 1:30 p.m.: Díaz Ordaz logs 70 km/h winds and a tornado risk.
• 2 p.m.: Second wave of rain hits Reynosa, flooding IMSS Clinic 15 and multiple neighborhoods.
• 3:45 p.m.: McAllen faces another storm, damaging the Medical Center and Plaza Mall.
• 6:30 p.m.: U.S. flash flood warning expires, but alerts persist.

Community response and logistical hurdles

Reynosa residents described a day of tension and improvisation. At local factories, workers struggled to shield their cars, as many supervisors barred early departures. Social media captured vehicles swept away by currents and furniture floating in streets across neighborhoods like Las Fuentes and Longoria. Poor drainage emerged as a common grievance, with many noting the infrastructure couldn’t handle the exceptional rainfall.

In McAllen, residents grappled with major disruptions. The closure of key routes, like sections of Interstate 2, snarled traffic, while power outages from downed lines added to the chaos. Pharr merchants raced to salvage goods as floodwaters rose, though the speed of the deluge often outpaced their efforts. Acts of neighborly support stood out, with reports of impromptu rescues in residential areas.

Cross-border logistics took a direct hit. The typically bustling traffic between Reynosa and McAllen slowed to a trickle, with bridges and backroads rendered impassable. This disrupted goods transport and worker commutes, underscoring the interdependence of the two cities and the complexities of managing a crisis split by an international boundary.

Material and operational damage

The toll on property became apparent as the day wore on. In Reynosa, the flooding of IMSS Clinic 15 was among the gravest incidents, with equipment ruined and patients relocated amid the turmoil. Businesses at Plaza Real and along Hidalgo Boulevard reported heavy losses, as water breached stockrooms and customer areas. Submerged or displaced vehicles littered the hardest-hit neighborhoods.

On the U.S. side, McAllen and Pharr faced structural and operational setbacks. The McAllen Medical Center redirected patients while coping with internal flooding, and the city’s golf course was left underwater, with damages likely reaching thousands of dollars. In Pharr, stores and parking lots saw similar losses, with water levels wiping out inventories and cars. Full damage estimates await further surveys, but the economic blow is already clear.

Cleanup began as emergency crews cleared roads and debris, though the scale of the task strained resources. In Reynosa, the National Guard and Mexican Army teamed up, while in McAllen, firefighters and police prioritized residential and commercial safety. Binational coordination proved essential, yet the event’s magnitude pushed response capabilities to their limits.

Emergency measures in motion

The activation of the DN-III-E Plan in Tamaulipas launched a large-scale operation. Military units deployed to Reynosa and Miguel Alemán, two of the hardest-hit areas, to aid in evacuations and supply distribution. In Río Bravo, another affected municipality, swift interventions focused on rescuing stranded families. Heavy-duty vehicles were key to reaching areas where roads had vanished under water.

In the U.S., efforts centered on containing floods and ensuring public safety. The National Weather Service updated alerts throughout the day, while rescue teams used boats to extract residents near the Trinity River. Officials urged people to avoid flooded zones, and McAllen police ramped up patrols to deter looting in vulnerable commercial districts.

With more rain forecast into the next day, teams remained on edge. In Reynosa, monitoring of channels and drains continued, with makeshift barriers erected at critical points. In McAllen, preparations for further flooding included reinforcing levees and clearing drainage systems, though saturated ground hampered progress. The joint response highlighted the crisis’s severity and the need for seamless cooperation.

Forecast and next steps

Weather conditions remain unstable in the region. High humidity and strong winds suggest storms could linger into the following day, with up to 15 centimeters of additional rain possible in some areas. In Reynosa, preventing channel overflows is the top priority, while in McAllen, officials track river levels and saturated zones. The potential for hail and isolated twisters adds further uncertainty.

Residents were urged to stay informed and ready. Emergency services in both cities shared contact numbers and official channels for real-time updates. The advice was straightforward: limit travel and seek safe shelter. Schools and some businesses halted operations, as cleanup and rescue efforts pressed on at full speed.

Long-term impacts remain unclear. Recovery will hinge on the extent of the damage and the effectiveness of official responses. For now, Reynosa and McAllen face a test of endurance, with nature delivering a relentless challenge.

• Emergency numbers in Reynosa: 955-7020 and 955-7090.
• U.S. flood alert active through day’s end.
• Rain expected until the next morning.