Mexico struggles to recover from flooding

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Hundreds of thousands of homes were underwater and tens of thousands of people sought shelter following devastating flooding in Tabasco and Chiapas, Mexico.

There were unconfirmed reports that one person died in Tabasco and seven died in Chiapas as a result of the flooding, the Houston Chronicle reported.

"It is catastrophic. We're never going to recover," said psychologist Guadalupe Soto.

About 80 percent of Tabasco was reported underwater, and the state capital, Villahermosa, remained mostly flooded -- although some rivers receded slightly Saturday, the Chronicle said.

The homes of an estimated 800,000 people were submerged and many areas lost power.

While many lined up at stores to buy food and water, there were reports of some looting -- and military personnel have been sent to the region to protect property and merchandise, as well as transport flood victims to disaster relief sites.

Tabasco Gov. Andres Granier Melo said his state will manage.

"We are still fighting," he said on television. "We are on our feet until the end."