Residents of southwestern Mexico faced a harrowing ordeal as Hurricane John swept through the region, causing widespread flooding and landslides. The powerful storm, which swiftly intensified into a major hurricane on Monday, wreaked havoc on the Pacific coastline, particularly in Guerrero, one of Mexico's poorest states.
In Acapulco, the aftermath was devastating. Homes were submerged under mud and rubble, and at least 18 people lost their lives due to mudslides that destroyed entire neighborhoods. Olga Flores, a local resident, described the scene: \"It was still raining, and the soil was sliding. People came out crying. I don't know if anyone was buried. They say that people were coming from work when the landslide happened. People were crying; they were terrified by the landslide. The Civil Protection came, but if it rains, another landslide may happen.\"
The impact of Hurricane John surpassed that of the Category 5 storm Otis, which hit Acapulco last October, resulting in over 50 deaths and billions in damages. John's rainfall was nearly triple that of Otis, exacerbating the flooding and making recovery efforts more challenging.
Beyond Guerrero, the storm claimed three lives in Oaxaca and a young boy in Michoacán State. Despite John beginning to dissipate on Friday and no longer being classified as an active storm, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were still forecasted for parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca. Authorities in Acapulco reported that floodwaters were gradually receding, offering a glimmer of hope for the affected communities.
Hurricane John’s rapid strengthening and destructive path highlight the increasing intensity of tropical storms, raising concerns about climate resilience and the need for effective disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.
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Mexicans flee flooded homes as deadly Hurricane John dissipates
cgtn.com
