As Hurricane Alex weakened to a tropical storm, it brought torrential rain over north-eastern Mexico, flooding the city of Monterrey. At least two people died when a river burst its banks, completely covering the roads and washing away cars.

Hurricane Alex was a category two hurricane when it struck the Gulf coast on Wednesday night, but it weakened as it moved inland. It was expected to dissipate over the Mexican highlands on Friday.

The normally dry Santa Catarina River that flows through the center of Monterrey has turned into a raging torrent, inundating major highways and paralyzing Mexico’s third-biggest city.

Even a 12-tonne statue of the revered Virgin of Guadalupe was knocked off its footstall on the river bank. Flood waters also reached the city zoo, sweeping animals including buffalo from their pens.

Thousands of people in coastal villages were evacuated to a higher ground before the storm hits. Many towns were left without power, and even phone lines were also down.