Six people have died in eastern Veracruz state after being buried in landslides from Tropical Storm Earl. Forecasters warn of additional flash floods and mudslides. Two other people were injured, and at least 40 families in the area were evacuated as a precaution. Fifteen waterways, mostly streams and creeks, had overwhelmed their banks, adding to problems on many roads caused by mudslides and downed trees, AFP reported. Even though the storm has passed on to Puebla state, emergency officials warned that the danger in Veracruz remained because many of the state’s rivers flow from that mountainous inland area, which is predicted to experience severe flooding. Several other states have been placed on high alert, including Guerrero, Hidalgo, Oaxaca and Tlaxcula. Heavy rains and fierce wind gusts hit Mexico on Thursday after Earl weakened from hurricane status over Central America. Before crossing into Mexico, Earl battered Belize, smashing car windows and punching holes in the roofs of Belize City’s wooden houses. It also downed trees and flooded parts of the coast.
