Hurricane John causes widespread flooding, deaths in Mexico

Hurricane John, after making its second landfall as a tropical storm, has left a trail of destruction across Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Originally striking as a Category 3 hurricane earlier this week, the storm has caused severe flooding, mudslides, and widespread devastation in the coastal regions, particularly in the cities of Acapulco and Michoacan.

According to official reports, the death toll from the storm stands at five, though local media outlets suggest that as many as 13 people may have lost their lives, including several children.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed the fatalities during a press conference and expressed concerns over the scale of the disaster.

Around 25,000 members of Mexico’s military and National Guard have been deployed to assist with rescue and recovery efforts, particularly in areas where floodwaters have inundated entire neighborhoods.

Acapulco, a major tourist hub, has been one of the worst-hit areas by Hurricane John’s torrential rains and strong winds.

The storm struck the city just days after its initial landfall near Punta Maldonado, causing unprecedented flooding.

The president reported that floodwaters have reached depths of up to 1.5 meters (five feet) in some areas, leading to widespread displacement and damage to infrastructure.

“We haven't seen rain like this in a long time,” said President López Obrador, adding that 19 neighborhoods in Acapulco are underwater.

The city, which was still recovering from the devastation caused by last year’s Hurricane Otis, is now facing yet another natural disaster.

Authorities in Acapulco have been appealing for help from residents with boats to assist in rescue operations.

Many of the city’s streets have turned into rivers of mud, and thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes.

As of Friday, around 1,200 residents were staying in emergency shelters, though the number is expected to rise as more people seek refuge from the floodwaters.

After wreaking havoc in Acapulco, Hurricane John made a second landfall on Friday as a tropical storm near Tizupan, in the state of Michoacan.

The storm’s winds, which reached up to 45 mph, caused extensive damage across the region, triggering landslides, uprooting trees, and tearing off roofs.

Roads have been blocked by debris, and emergency services are struggling to reach isolated communities cut off by the storm.

John’s erratic behavior has complicated forecasting efforts, with the storm unexpectedly intensifying after initially weakening.

Satellite data has indicated rainfall of up to 36 inches in some areas over a span of just four days, leading to flash floods and the risk of catastrophic mudslides.

Experts have warned that the storm’s slow-moving nature means that further rain and flooding are likely to continue affecting the region over the coming days.

In Acapulco, where residents are still reeling from the aftermath of last year’s Hurricane Otis, the damage caused by Hurricane John has left many feeling hopeless.

"We haven’t recovered from Hurricane Otis yet, and now we’re in a situation that seems to be worse," said Barbara Encinas, a local resident, as she queued outside a supermarket for supplies.

Amid the devastation, rescue operations are in full swing. Mexican police and National Guard members have been assisting displaced residents, and food supplies are being distributed.

The government is also setting up temporary kitchens to provide meals for those affected by the storm.

Forecasters are closely monitoring the remnants of Hurricane John as it continues to move inland.

While the storm has weakened, it still poses a significant threat, particularly in rural areas where emergency responders are on high alert for further flash floods and landslides.

The US National Hurricane Center has warned that the storm could bring additional "catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides" in affected areas, exacerbating the already dire situation.

Emergency workers are working around the clock to clear roads and restore access to isolated communities, while relief efforts are being coordinated to provide immediate assistance to the most vulnerable.

Hurricane John’s rapid intensification caught many by surprise.

The storm, which evolved from a tropical storm to a Category 3 hurricane within just 18 hours, presented a challenge for meteorologists.

While hurricanes in this region typically stay offshore, John’s erratic path and unexpected strengthening have drawn comparisons to previous devastating storms such as Hurricane Pauline in 1997 and Hurricane Otis in 2023.

Satellite tracking provided some forewarning of the heavy rainfall, but the sheer volume of rain—up to 36 inches in some areas—has been unprecedented, with some regions seeing more rainfall in a matter of days than they typically receive in a year.

The lack of real-time rain gauge data has made it difficult to fully assess the storm’s impact, though satellite imagery has provided crucial information to guide relief efforts.

As rescue operations continue and emergency responders work to bring relief to those affected, the true extent of the damage caused by Hurricane John is still unfolding.

The storm’s impact is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather events, especially for vulnerable coastal regions in Mexico.

North America has also been hit by powerful hurrricane systems as hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, unleashing heavy rains, fierce winds, and a dangerous storm surge.

The storm caused severe flooding, widespread power outages, and forced thousands to evacuate as waters rose in coastal areas.

Helene's path left significant damage across the state, impacting roads, bridges, and buildings, while many were left without electricity or basic necessities.

The National Hurricane Center warned of "life-threatening" storm surges, destructive winds, and heavy flooding, with effects felt across much of Florida and parts of the southeastern U.S.