On Tuesday, June 1, 2025, Tropical Storm Barry made landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas, bringing with it torrential rains, powerful winds, and widespread flooding that paralyzed parts of northeastern Mexico.
As the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Barry formed rapidly in the Bay of Campeche and intensified before slamming into the Tamaulipas coast late at night on Sunday, June 30th.
With sustained winds of up to 75 km/h (46 mph) and gusts reaching 95 km/h (59 mph), Barry battered coastal communities and inland towns alike. The Mexican National Meteorological Service (SMN) issued red alerts for southern and central Tamaulipas, warning of extraordinary rainfall exceeding 250 mm (10 inches) in some areas.
These downpours triggered flash floods, mudslides, and the overflow of rivers such as the Pánuco and TamesÃ, placing thousands at risk.
In Ciudad Victoria, the capital of Tamaulipas, emergency services were deployed to assist stranded motorists and evacuate flooded neighborhoods. Streets turned into rivers, and power outages were reported across multiple municipalities. Schools and businesses were closed as a precaution, and shelters were opened for displaced residents.
Despite the storm weakening into a tropical depression after landfall, its slow movement inland prolonged the rainfall, compounding the damage. Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant, as saturated soil increased the risk of landslides in hilly regions.
Barry’s impact underscores the vulnerability of Mexico’s Gulf Coast during hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30. With more storms forecasted in the coming months, officials are emphasizing preparedness, early warnings, and community resilience as key to minimizing future disasters.
For expats and locals alike, Barry served as a stark reminder of nature’s force—and the importance of staying informed and ready.
With information from CONAGUA / Hoy Tamaulipas
