Tropical Storm John to Transform Back into Hurricane as It Approaches Mexico

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – After impacting Guerrero state with significant force, Tropical Storm John is intensifying and is expected to regain hurricane status, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm is moving back towards communities along the Pacific coast.

John made landfall on Monday as a major hurricane, prompting floods and landslides that resulted in the destruction of homes and at least five fatalities. The storm’s remnants caused heavy rainfall across various states, which are home to important ports and popular beach resorts, before regaining strength.

Earlier on Wednesday, John moved back into the Pacific Ocean, and the NHC now anticipates that it will make landfall again on the Mexican mainland early on Thursday.

Civil protection meteorologist Fermin Damian Adame indicated at a press conference that the ocean’s surface temperatures are conducive to nourishing the storm, predicting further “intense” rainfall through Friday.

In response, the Mexican government issued a hurricane warning for the Pacific coast, specifically between Lazaro Cardenas in Michoacan state and Tecpan de Galeana in Guerrero. Additionally, areas east of Tecpan de Galeana, including the resort city of Acapulco, which is still recovering from last year’s Hurricane Otis, were placed under a Tropical Storm warning.

The NHC has expressed concerns about potential “catastrophic” flash flooding and mudslides across four states along the Pacific coast of Mexico.

The initial impact of John cut power to approximately 100,000 homes, uprooted trees and power poles, and damaged roofs. Among the reported casualties were a 10-year-old boy and his mother, who were trapped by a landslide in the village of Tlacoachistlahuaca, a site in Guerrero state known for its poverty.

While John struck Guerrero’s southern Costa Chica region on Tuesday, forecasts predict it will now affect the northern coastline, known as Costa Grande. Local authorities alerted that around 4,000 homes in Acapulco are at risk and urged residents in low-lying areas to seek shelter immediately.

Acapulco endured significant devastation last year from Hurricane Otis, which claimed over 50 lives and caused an estimated $15 billion in damages. The hurricane surprised meteorologists by rapidly intensifying to a Category 5 storm in under a day.

Experts suggest that hurricanes are strengthening more quickly due to rising sea temperatures linked to human-induced climate change, resulting in diminished time for communities to prepare for their arrival.