Los Topos

For Los Topos, borders and other dividing lines don’t matter in the wake of tragedy

The programming in this bonus episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast was originally aired live on the Texas Standard in July, 2025.

Tacos of Texas host Mando Ray discusses the search and rescue group who came from Mexico to help find victims of the July 4th floods.

In the weeks since the Fourth of July floods hit Central Texas, help has come in many forms. From relief concerts to restaurants donating profits, volunteers have been a huge part of relief efforts – including one trained rescue group from Mexico, which made it a priority to search for flood victims despite current rocky U.S. relations with Mexico.

The group is known as Los Topos Azteca and formed after Mexico City’s devastating 1985 earthquake. Tacos of Texas podcast host Mando Rayo discusses their involvement and the magnitude behind it in this political climate.

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 14, 2025: Mexican volunteers rushed in to help after floods in Texas. Some want to continue recovery efforts

Central Texas top stories for July 14, 2025. A Flood Watch has been extended until tomorrow morning at 7:00 for the Austin area and west into the Hill Country. The Lower Colorado River Authority opened four flood gates this afternoon at Buchanan Dam. Debris pickup services in the northwest Travis County neighborhood near Big Sandy Creek started today. Travis County officials are working to restore access to homes near Big Sandy Creek after flooding in the area severely damaged a bridge and left some people in the neighborhood trapped on one side of the creek. Mexican volunteer teams helped with recovery efforts in Kerr County.