Residents in southwestern Mexico faced severe flooding on Saturday as the remnants of Hurricane John wreaked havoc along the Pacific coastline. The storm, which lingered for a week, has led to devastating floods and landslides, resulting in at least 22 fatalities.
Guerrero state, the hardest hit and one of Mexico’s poorest regions reported 18 deaths, primarily due to mudslides that demolished homes. Additionally, local media confirmed three casualties in Oaxaca and a young boy lost his life in a river in Michoacán state.
Hurricane John quickly intensified into a major storm on Monday before making landfall in Guerrero.
After weakening, it reformed offshore and skimmed the coast throughout the week, bringing heavy rainfall and flooding. As of Friday, John has dissipated and is no longer classified as an active storm.
Hurricane John leaves a trail of destruction, claiming lives and causing widespread devastation.Emergency responders in Acapulco have been tirelessly conducting rescue operations, using boats, jet skis, and helicopters to assist stranded residents.
Many neighborhoods experienced waist-deep flooding, prompting evacuations. Governor Evelyn Salgado reported that access to the airport had been restored by Saturday morning.
Residents, still reeling from Hurricane Otis last October, which was a Category 5 storm, expressed concern over the situation. They noted that the rainfall from John nearly tripled that of Otis, exacerbating the already challenging conditions.
As heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are predicted to continue across Guerrero and parts of Oaxaca, authorities indicated that floodwaters are beginning to recede.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced that shelters and kitchens have been established to support affected individuals, ensuring ongoing aid as the community works toward recovery.
Meteorologists warn that rising ocean temperatures are intensifying hurricanes, giving coastal areas less time to prepare for their impacts.