MEXICO · BAJA CALIFORNIA
Key Facts
- —The country Mexico, in the state of Baja California.
- —What happened Outlets report seven to ten people missing after Storm Rachel.
- —Where Most are in Ensenada’s Maneadero area; two are reported in San Felipe.
- —A death Latinus, El Universal and El Vigía report a minor’s body found.
- —The search Focused on El Pípila, ZETA Tijuana and Latinus report.
- —What it means for you Ensenada, 70 miles south of San Diego, faces flooded roads.
Two families swept away by floodwater near Ensenada are at the centre of a search after Storm Rachel. Regional outlets report between seven and ten people missing, citing state and city officials.
Between seven and ten people are missing in Baja California after Storm Rachel flooded parts of Ensenada. Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila gave the higher figure on Monday at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s press conference, Latinus and El Universal reported.
Ensenada lies about 110 km (70 miles) south of San Diego and is a regular stop for cruise ships from US ports. The Rio Times reported on Sunday that Storm Rachel hit Baja California and forced more than 100 people from their homes.
Accounts Differ on the Number of Missing
Latinus and El Universal, via Uniradio Informa, both quoted the governor citing ten missing, including cases in San Felipe. Their breakdowns differ, so it is unclear whether ten is the statewide total or Ensenada’s count.
El Vigía, the Ensenada daily, and El Imparcial of Tijuana put the number at seven, from two families. Latinus also reported seven missing members of two families, in Lomas de Mendoza and El Pípila.
Two Families Swept Away Near Maneadero
El Vigía reported that one family sheltered in a car in Lomas de Mendoza and was swept away by floodwater. A second family is missing in El Pípila, in the Maneadero district, the paper said.
ZETA Tijuana said the state prosecutor’s office, Civil Protection, municipal police and the Navy were searching near the El Pípila stream. A Defence Ministry aircraft was due to fly to the roadless Pípila river area on Monday, Latinus reported.
Latinus and El Universal reported that the governor also announced a minor had been found dead. El Vigía said firefighters found a girl’s body near La Bufadora, and prosecutors must confirm if she was missing.
Flooding Across Ensenada
El Vigía reported closed streets, flooded fords and a sinkhole in Ensenada, and El Imparcial reported cars under water in the city. Sheinbaum said Ensenada was the worst-affected area of Baja California, El Universal reported.
Hospital Flooded and Schools Closed
Ensenada’s IMSS-Bienestar General Hospital flooded and patients were moved out of affected areas, ZETA Tijuana and El Vigía reported. The state government suspended classes at all schools on Monday, 12 October, both outlets reported.
What It Means for You
Americans driving to Ensenada from San Diego should check road conditions first. Local outlets reported flooded and closed streets in the city.
Cruise passengers due to call at Ensenada should ask their line for updates. None of the outlets reported on port operations.
What Is Not Known
The official statements could not be opened, because the Presidencia and Baja California government websites blocked automated access. Every official figure here is therefore attributed to the outlets that reported it.
It is not clear whether the governor’s ten is a statewide or Ensenada total, or whether it includes the seven family members. The prosecutor’s office had not confirmed the identity of the dead girl, El Vigía reported.
What Comes Next
The search near the Pípila river was set to continue with air support, Latinus reported. An official update from the state government or the prosecutor’s office would settle the differing counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many People Are Missing After Storm Rachel?
Regional outlets report between seven and ten missing in Baja California. The governor gave the figure of ten at Monday’s presidential briefing, Latinus and El Universal reported.
Where Are the Missing People From?
Most are from two families in the Maneadero and San Francisquito areas of Ensenada. Latinus and El Universal also reported people missing in San Felipe.
Has Anyone Died?
Latinus, El Universal and El Vigía reported that a minor’s body was found. The state prosecutor’s office has yet to confirm whether she was among the missing.
How Far Is Ensenada From the United States?
Ensenada lies about 110 km (70 miles) south of San Diego. It is a regular stop for cruise ships from US West Coast ports.
Sources: Latinus; El Universal via Uniradio Informa; El Vigía; ZETA Tijuana; El Imparcial (all accessed 12 October 2026).