At least two people have been killed after Hurricane John hit Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, authorities reported on Tuesday.
The storm, which has now weakened to a tropical storm, is expected to further lose strength in the coming days, though forecasters warn of continued heavy rains and potential flash floods.
Evelyn Salgado, the governor of Guerrero state, confirmed the deaths occurred in the southern city of Tlacoachistlahuaca. “Two people were reported dead due to a landslide in their home,” she announced during a press conference.
The US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings about significant rainfall and life-threatening flash floods, particularly in Mexico’s southern states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Guerrero. “This heavy rainfall will likely cause significant and possibly catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides,” the NHC stated.
Hurricane John made landfall near Marquelia in Guerrero, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to coastal areas. Authorities had urged residents to seek shelter as the storm approached. The NHC reported that by 1200 GMT, John’s maximum sustained winds had weakened to 50 mph (85 km/h), down from earlier speeds exceeding 120 mph. Further weakening is expected, with the storm likely becoming a tropical depression by the end of the day.
The storm is forecasted to bring up to 15 inches of rain to Chiapas, and even higher amounts—close to 30 inches—in parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero. Mexico’s National Civil Protection agency posted on X (formerly Twitter), warning of extraordinary rainfall in Oaxaca and Guerrero, with torrential downpours in Chiapas.
In response to the storm, Mexican authorities have taken several precautions. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged coastal residents to seek higher ground and prioritize safety. “Seek higher ground, protect yourselves, and remember that life is the most important thing; material things can be replaced,” he wrote on X.
Oaxaca authorities opened temporary shelters, suspended school classes, closed beaches, and mobilized heavy equipment to clear roads if needed. Similar actions were taken in Guerrero, where around 300 temporary shelters were prepared. Flights at Puerto Escondido International Airport were suspended, and workers at beachside restaurants and fishing boats rushed to secure property and equipment.
Hurricanes regularly impact both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Mexico from May to November each year. In October 2023, Hurricane Otis—a sudden, powerful Category 5 storm—devastated the beach city of Acapulco, leaving several dozen people dead.
