Hurricane John hit Mexico’s southern Pacific coast with life-threatening flood potential after rapidly intensifying into a major Category 3 storm overnight. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador urged residents to seek higher ground to protect themselves as storm surges and flash floods ravaged the coast near Oaxaca. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Benz attributed the storm’s unexpected strength to warmer oceans, leading to more frequent rapid intensification events. Authorities in Guerrero and Oaxaca evacuated residents and set up shelters as the storm approached tourist hubs like Acapulco and Puerto Escondido. Concerns were raised about the storm stalling over the coast and causing extensive damage. The region was still recovering from Hurricane Otis last year, which resulted in widespread devastation and criticism of the government’s slow response. President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum vowed to improve early alert systems for hurricanes. John was expected to bring heavy rainfall of 6 to 12 inches in Chiapas state and up to 20 inches in areas along the Oaxaca coast through Thursday. Meteorologist Matt Benz warned that the impacts of the storm could be felt for weeks to months. The government and residents of the affected areas were on high alert as they prepared for the aftermath of the hurricane.
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‘Hurricane John causes ‘life-threatening’ flood potential on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast’
