Hurricane John made landfall late Monday night near Punta Maldonado on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, striking as a formidable Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph). The rapid intensification of John took residents and authorities by surprise, prompting urgent evacuation orders and emergency preparations.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador took to social media, urging citizens to prioritize safety: “Seek higher ground, protect yourselves, and remember that life is the most important thing; material possessions can be replaced.” By Tuesday morning, John had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mph (160 kph), but it was still expected to unleash devastating storm surges and flash floods across the Pacific coast, impacting tourist hotspots like Acapulco and Puerto Escondido.
Meteorologists, including AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Benz, noted that warmer ocean temperatures are contributing to the increasing frequency of rapid hurricane intensification. “These are storms we haven’t really experienced before,” Benz stated, emphasizing the changing dynamics of hurricane behavior in the modern era.
In light of the storm’s trajectory, Laura Velázquez, the federal coordinator of civil protection, urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate to shelters to safeguard their lives. “It’s crucial that all citizens in the coastal zone take preventive measures,” she said. Authorities in Guerrero and Oaxaca states announced the suspension of classes in affected areas, and evacuation efforts are already underway, with approximately 3,000 residents relocated to 80 shelters.
In Puerto Escondido, local businesses began closing as the storm approached. Ana Aldai, a restaurant employee, expressed her distress over the sudden evacuation orders, saying, “There was no opportunity to make the necessary purchases.” With heavy rain already affecting road conditions, residents prepared for the worst.
The region is still recovering from last year’s Hurricane Otis, which wreaked havoc on Acapulco, leaving destruction and chaos in its wake. Critics of the government’s response to Otis have called for improved emergency preparedness, prompting President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum to propose enhancements to the early alert system for hurricanes, akin to Mexico’s earthquake alerts.
Meteorologists predict that Hurricane John could bring between 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) of rain across Chiapas, with some coastal areas experiencing as much as 50 centimeters (20 inches). “The impacts of the storm will likely be felt for weeks to months,” Benz warned, highlighting the prolonged challenges residents may face.
As Hurricane John continues to pose threats along the Pacific coast, authorities and residents are bracing for potential devastation, with an urgent focus on safety and preparedness in the face of unpredictable and increasingly powerful storms.
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