The Tabasco floods

This episode of Witness History recounts the catastrophic flooding in Tabasco, Mexico, during October and November 2007, one of the worst natural disasters in the country's history. Heavy rains caused the Rio Gutralva to breach its banks, submerging most of the state, including its capital, Villa Jimosa. Over one million people were evacuated in a matter of days, with rescue operations relying on helicopters, boats, and jet skis. The BBC’s on-the-ground reporting captures harrowing scenes of people clinging to rooftops, while survivors recount the desperation of losing homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. The aftermath brought further challenges: extreme heat, lack of clean water, overcrowded shelters, and widespread looting driven by desperation. Despite these hardships, the resilience of the Mexican people and coordinated efforts by the Red Cross and military offered hope. Marco Franco, an emergency coordinator for the Mexican Red Cross, reflects on the scale of the disaster and warns that climate change, deforestation, and river rerouting make future floods increasingly likely. The episode closes with a poignant return journey by survivors William and Eva Moscoso, who find their home destroyed by floodwaters and looters.