In Puerto Escondido, Mexico, two individuals lost their lives as former Hurricane John slammed into the country’s southern Pacific coast. The storm caused significant damage, including blowing off tin roofs from houses, triggering mudslides, and toppling numerous trees. John rapidly intensified into a major hurricane on Monday and made landfall near Acapulco, later weakening to a tropical storm as it moved further inland.
Upon hitting near the town of Punta Maldonado, John brought winds of up to 120 mph, causing devastation in the region. Governor Evelyn Salgado reported that two people died in a mudslide on the mountain of Tlacoachistlahuaca. The slow pace of the storm and heavy rainfall raised concerns about flash flooding and mudslides in various Mexican states.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador urged residents to seek higher ground for safety, emphasizing the importance of protecting lives above all else. Local officials in Marquelia, near where the hurricane made landfall, noted significant damage to homes, particularly those with sheet roofing. Power outages and blocked highways were also reported, leaving around 60,000 people without electricity.
The storm’s unexpected strength was attributed to warmer oceans by experts like AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Benz, leading to more frequent rapid intensification events. The impacts of such storms have become increasingly common, posing challenges for preparedness and response efforts. The region had faced a similar situation in 2023 with rapidly intensifying Hurricane Otis, which caused significant devastation in Acapulco.
Following criticism of the government’s slow response to Otis, authorities have pledged to enhance early alert systems to better prepare for future disasters. President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum stated plans to improve alert mechanisms, drawing parallels to earthquake early warning systems in the country. Efforts are underway to strengthen resilience and response capabilities in the face of escalating climate-related events.
