Mexico: Hurricane Lane OCHA Situation Report No. 2

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2006/0199

OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Mexico - Hurricane Lane

This situation report is based on information provided by the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Mexico, the National Meteorological Service of Mexico, the Mexican's General Direction of Civil Protection and media reports.

Situation

1. Between 17 and 18 September, heavy rain and strong winds hit Sinaloa State due to the passage of Hurricane Lane before it dissipated in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains.

2. According to the Mexican General Direction of Civil Protection (DGPC), about 240,700 people were affected in Sinaloa State and 32,400 were evacuated to safe areas, after their homes in 400 municipalities resulted flooded. The most affected municipalities were: Culiacán, Elota, Mazatlán, Escuinapa, El Rosario, Navolato, San Ignacio, Salvador Alvarado, Concordia and Cosalá in Sinaloa State.

Impact & Needs

3. As of today, 4 people have been reported dead as a result of flooding and landslides.

4. In the municipality of Mazatlan, 3 temporary shelters were activated to bring protection to 360 people. The main roads connecting North and South of the city were cut-off as well as the road between Mazatlan and Culiacán and the railroad track in Villa Union point. As a consequence, access to several communities has been interrupted.

5. In the municipality of Culiacán, about 1,000 people were evacuated to 3 temporary shelters. The Quila, Rancho la Romana, Agua Verde, Pozole, Piaxtla, and Quebrada de los Sandoval communities were reported cut-off because of damaged roads.

6. In San Lorenzo Valley, several rural communities were flooded, power lines and crops resulted severely affected. According to the authorities, damage in the agricultural sector could reach USD 55 million in Sinaloa State

7. In Jalisco State, crops were badly damaged and 250 people remain cut-off in the communities of Cihuatlán, Huerta and Cuatitlán de Garcia Barragán.

8. The Mexican Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) reported damage in 15% of power lines in Sinaloa State. Rehabilitation of electrical infrastructure in the region has been initiated by CFE involving 1,500 workers.

9. Damage to water treatment facilities and distribution systems have also been reported in several municipalities in Sinaloa State. The Department of Health declared sanitary alert to face the possibility of dengue and intestinal diseases as a consequence of flooding.

National Response

10. The Ministry of Interior (SEGOB) and the DGPC have been leading national relief efforts and providing assistance to the affected population with the cooperation of local authorities, the CFE and the Water National Commission (CAN). Helicopters have had to be used to rescue cut-off residents and to distribute food. The Mexican Army continues providing emergency response.

11. There has been no request for international assistance from the Government of Mexico.

UN & International response

12. The United Nations system is monitoring activities and remains in contact with national authorities.

13. OCHA remains in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Mexico.

14. This situation report, together with additional information on other ongoing emergencies, is also available on http://www.reliefweb.int.

Map: Mexico: Hurricane Lane - Situation map

Tel. +41-22-917 1234
Fax: +41-22-917 0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 2010

Desk Officer:

Mr. Ricardo Mena
E-mail: menar@un.org
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1455

Press contact:

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-917-892 1669