This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7072554.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Floodwaters swamp Mexican state Floodwaters swamp Mexican state
(about 11 hours later)
Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes in Mexico where massive floods have swamped much of the south-eastern state of Tabasco. The authorities in Mexico say as many as 700,000 people have been affected by heavy rains and severe flooding in the south-eastern state of Tabasco.
"We have lost 100% of our crops and 70% of the state is under water," Tabasco's governor said. The state's governor has called on anyone who owns a seafaring vessel to help free the 300,000 people believed to be trapped in their homes.
Rescuers have been using boats and helicopters to try to reach people stranded on rooftops. "We have lost 100% of our crops and 70% of the state is under water," he said.
Rescuers have also been using helicopters to try to reach people stranded on rooftops.
The heavy rains began at the weekend, forcing rivers to burst their banks in the largely low-lying state.The heavy rains began at the weekend, forcing rivers to burst their banks in the largely low-lying state.
"We are just like New Orleans," Tabasco governor Andres Granier said. "All the water that comes in has to be pumped out.""We are just like New Orleans," Tabasco governor Andres Granier said. "All the water that comes in has to be pumped out."
StrandedStranded
Mexican President Felipe Calderon flew to the area on Wednesday and said the federal government would be sending aid to help the estimated 400,000 people in Tabasco whose homes have been damaged. Mexican President Felipe Calderon flew to the area on Wednesday and said the federal government would be sending aid to help the many thousands of people in Tabasco whose homes have been damaged.
In pictures: Tabasco floodsIn pictures: Tabasco floods
Rescue efforts continued throughout Wednesday to try to move people to safety but thousands are still stranded on roofs. So far, one person is known to have died in the floods.
So far one person is known to have died in the floods.
Tabasco's capital, Villahermosa, and many other towns in the state have been turned into brown lakes with only treetops and roofs visible.Tabasco's capital, Villahermosa, and many other towns in the state have been turned into brown lakes with only treetops and roofs visible.
Soldiers and rescuers desperately stacked sandbags along Villahermosa's streets.Soldiers and rescuers desperately stacked sandbags along Villahermosa's streets.
Sandbags were also placed around several giant heads carved by the Olmecs, an ancient pre-Columbian people, at Tabasco's La Venta archaeological site.Sandbags were also placed around several giant heads carved by the Olmecs, an ancient pre-Columbian people, at Tabasco's La Venta archaeological site.
Flooding has also affected the southern state of Chiapas, where several thousand people have been moved to safety, Mexico's El Universal newspaper reported.Flooding has also affected the southern state of Chiapas, where several thousand people have been moved to safety, Mexico's El Universal newspaper reported.


Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the floods? What are conditions like at the moment? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the floods? What are conditions like at the moment? Send us your comments using the form below:
You can send pictures and video to:You can send pictures and video to:
yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
Name: