John It has evolved from a tropical storm to a Category 2 hurricane (out of 5) on the Saffir-Simpson scale and is imminently looming over the coasts of Guerrero and Oaxaca, where it will land with even greater force as a Category 3 hurricane during the night from Monday to Tuesday, according to estimates from the National Meteorological Service (SMN). The hurricane will hit the Mexican Pacific at midnight, with particular intensity 45 kilometers southeast of Punta Maldonado, a small town of about 900 inhabitants in the State of Guerrero, and 70 kilometers west of Lagunas de Chacahua, one of the main tourist destinations in Oaxaca.
“If the current trajectory continues, the center of the hurricane would be expected to John “It is expected to make landfall between Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca, and Copala, Guerrero, between 9:00 p.m. today and 1:00 a.m. Tuesday,” the SMN said in its latest statement. “Its wide circulation will generate intense to extraordinary rainfall, very strong winds and high waves in the south and southeast of Mexico, in addition to increasing the probability of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the east and center of the country,” the agency added.
At first, John The storm was approaching the Mexican coast as a tropical storm, but has evolved rapidly in recent hours, according to the US National Hurricane Center. “John is expected to continue to gain strength rapidly, and is expected to become a major hurricane before it makes landfall in southern Mexico on Tuesday,” the agency said in a statement.
The intensity of this cyclone has already set off alarms on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico. The Guerrero State Department of Education has announced the suspension of classes In Acapulco and the Costa Chica region, from this Monday, September 23, in all public and private schools, at all educational levels until further notice. Meanwhile, in Oaxaca, local authorities have also suspended classes in the coastal strip, from Pinotepa Nacional to the port of Salina Cruz. At the end of October 2023, Hurricane Otisa category 5 hurricane, devastated Acapulco and part of the coast of Guerrero, which has been immersed in its reconstruction since then.
“A hurricane prevention zone has been established from the east of Acapulco, Guerrero, to Bahías de Huatulco, Oaxaca, and a tropical storm prevention zone has been maintained from the east of Bahías de Huatulco to Salina Cruz, Oaxaca,” the SMN reported in the statement. Authorities have also called on the general population in the areas of the aforementioned states to take extreme precautions due to rain, wind and waves (including maritime navigation) and to heed the recommendations issued by the authorities of the National Civil Protection System in each entity.”
The SMN has forecast “extraordinary rainfall (over 250 millimeters) in Oaxaca and Guerrero; torrential rainfall (150 to 250 millimeters) in Chiapas; intense rainfall (75 to 150 millimeters) in Veracruz and Puebla; very heavy rainfall (50 to 75 millimeters) in Tabasco, Michoacán and Morelos; as well as heavy rainfall (25 to 50 millimeters) in the State of Mexico.”
12:00 PM CST Key Messages on #Hurricane #John: John rapidly strengthens to a hurricane. John is forecast to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane before making landfall in southern #Mexico. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. pic.twitter.com/ETpaepxLbo
— NHC Eastern Pacific (@NHC_Pacific) September 23, 2024
Alejandra Méndez Girón, coordinator of the National Meteorological Service (SMN), explained this Monday at noon that the core of John It was located in the morning 165 kilometers south of Punta Maldonado, Guerrero, and 185 southwest of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, with winds of 110 kilometers per hour and gusts of 140.
During the afternoon of this Monday, it is expected that John The storm is expected to intensify with winds of 119 to 153 km/h off the coast of Oaxaca, before moving slowly northeastward between northern Oaxaca and southeastern Guerrero. Additionally, before impacting on land, the storm is expected to intensify to a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 154 to 177 km/h, or even reach level 3.
The risks for Guerrero and Oaxaca are imminent. The aforementioned rainfall is expected to be accompanied by electrical discharges and possible hail, which could cause landslides, increased levels of rivers and streams, as well as overflows and floods. “The population, tourists and maritime navigation are urged to heed the warnings of the SMN and Conagua, follow the recommendations of Civil Protection and take extreme precautions in the face of rain, wind and high waves,” the authorities said.
The effect of John It extends from the Pacific coast to the central states. Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Jalisco, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Tlaxcala are all expecting heavy rains as a result of this storm.
Meanwhile, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has said that it already has a plan for emergency response, resulting from the advance of John. “1,392 electrical workers, 220 cranes, 401 light vehicles, 1 communications vehicle, 49 emergency plants, 30 lighting towers and 4 helicopters have been placed at strategic points,” the agency said.
Sign up for the free EL PAÍS Mexico newsletter and to WhatsApp channel and receive all the latest news on current events in this country.
#Category #Hurricane #John #strengthens #heads #Mexico