Mexican floods force thousands to flee

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Widespread flooding forced thousands of Mexicans in the southeastern state of Tabasco to abandon their homes, El Universal newspaper reported Thursday.

Officials said that rescue teams were using boats and helicopters to reach people trapped by floodwaters. One person was reported killed because of the flooding.

The homes of some 400,000 people have been damaged, local reports said.

Torrential rains have drenched southeastern Mexico of nearly a week.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon flew to the scene of the disaster Wednesday and promised federal aid would be used to help those that lost homes and property.