Surprise floods kill 31 in Mexican town

RAGING flood waters killed at least 31 people on Monday when they crashed through a normally arid town in northern Mexico close to the US border.

The surprise flood caused by unusually heavy rain swept away people and buried homes and cars in the town of Piedras Negras, across the Rio Grande from Texas.

“So far we've counted 31 people who have lost their lives,” Piedras Negras Mayor Claudio Bres said. At least 40 people are still missing.