Record rain triggers severe flooding across Mérida and parts of Yucatán, Mexico
Historic rainfall affected much of Yucatán on May 29, 2026, with Mérida setting a new all-time May rainfall record after 154 mm (6.1 inches) fell in 24 hours. Floodwaters inundated roads, stranded hundreds of vehicles, and caused significant disruptions across the city and surrounding areas.
Severe flooding in Yucatan, Mexico on May 29, 2026. Credit: SSP Yucatan
Historic rainfall affected much of Yucatán on May 29, with the capital city of Mérida setting a new all-time record for May.
The previous record of 96.4 mm (3.8 inches), set in May 2010, was shattered when the rainfall total reached 154 mm (6.1 inches) in the 24 hours between May 29 and May 30.
This was more than twice the monthly average rainfall of 63.9 mm (2.5 inches) for the region.
The rainfall began at around 13:00 LT in parts of Yucatán and continued to intensify during the afternoon.
The Mérida Regional Hydrometeorological Center had forecast rainfall totals of around 25-50 mm (1.0-2.0 inches). However, the storm during the afternoon of May 29 dropped more than double those values, with local media reporting statewide rainfall totals ranging between 90 and 131 mm (3.5-5.2 inches).
The flooding caused significant damage to roads in Mérida and the surrounding areas, with hundreds of vehicles stranded by floodwaters across the city.
Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue across western and southern Yucatán and could worsen the flooding. East to southeast winds of 20-30 km/h (12-19 mph), with gusts of 40-60 km/h (25-37 mph), are expected in parts of Yucatán, according to the Mexican National Weather Service (SMN).
References:
1 General Weather Forecast – SMN – May 30, 2026
2 Yucatan: rains exceed forecast and affect Merida and neighboring municipalities – La Jornada – May 29, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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