Tuesday, September 24, 2024 Hurricane John intensified with alarming speed, hitting Mexico’s southern Pacific coast late Monday as a Category 3 storm, with winds reaching 120 mph. The hurricane made landfall near Punta Maldonado , bringing life-threatening floods and storm surges to tourist hotspots like Acapulco and Puerto Escondido . The rapid intensification of the storm caught both residents and authorities off guard, forcing evacuations and emergency measures along the Pacific coastline.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador urged residents to prioritize safety over material possessions, using the social media platform X to say, “Seek higher ground, protect yourselves and remember that life is the most important thing.” He assured citizens that the government would respond to the crisis. By early Tuesday, John had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane, with winds at 100 mph, but remained a significant threat as it moved inland over Oaxaca and Guerrero.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned that devastating storm surges and flash floods continued to affect Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Hurricane John’s rapid intensification highlights a growing trend that experts are linking to climate change . Warmer ocean waters provide fuel for hurricanes, leading to storms that gain strength unexpectedly. Matt Benz , Senior Meteorologist at AccuWeather , stated that these phenomena are occurring more frequently and are becoming increasingly difficult to predict.
“These storms are different from what we’ve historically seen,” Benz said. “The increasing frequency of rapid intensification is a clear sign that something has changed.” Rapid intensification, defined by an increase in sustained winds of at least 35 mph within 24 hours, can catch entire regions unprepared, leaving little time for evacuation or storm preparation.
Residents of Oaxaca’s coastal cities found themselves in this very situation as authorities scrambled to issue warnings. In response, Laura Velázquez , Mexico’s federal civil protection coordinator, urged residents of coastal cities to evacuate and seek shelter immediately. Around 3,000 people were evacuated in Oaxaca alone, and 80 shelters were set up across the state.
Guerrero and Oaxaca state governments also ordered schools to close and suspended classes in affected regions. Local businesses in Puerto Escondido shut down as beachgoers and tourists hurried to find shelter. Ana Aldai, a 33-year-old restaurant employee in Puerto Escondido, expressed frustration over the lack of preparation time.
“We were informed quickly, and there was no time to stock up on essentials. It’s been distressing,” she said. Videos circulating on social media showed heavy rains, strong winds, and rising floodwaters.
In some areas, fishermen were seen pulling boats ashore while tourists in flip-flops waded through waterlogged streets. Though the hurricane began weakening over land, the heavy rainfall poses a significant risk. Benz noted that the storm could stall over the coastal regions, bringing prolonged downpours and flash flooding.
Through Thursday, some areas could receive up to 20 inches of rain , particularly along the Oaxaca coast and parts of southeast Guerrero . The ongoing rainfall is expected to cause extensive damage, especially in regions that have already seen intense weather in recent days. The devastation of Hurricane John comes just one year after Hurricane Otis , another rapidly intensifying storm, wreaked havoc on Acapulco.
Otis left widespread destruction, knocked out power for days, and caused chaos as residents struggled to find basic supplies. The aftermath of Otis led to harsh criticism of the Mexican government for its slow response. In the wake of Otis, Mexican authorities have pledged to improve emergency alert systems for hurricanes and other natural disasters.
President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her administration would prioritize enhancing early warning systems, similar to Mexico’s earthquake preparedness measures, to mitigate future storm impacts. As Mexico braces for the aftermath of John, experts warn that the impacts could last for weeks, with damage to infrastructure, businesses, and local communities stretching beyond the immediate storm..
