Tropical Storm John strikes Mexico’s southern Pacific coast causing widespread damage. Although downgraded from a major hurricane, the storm is still bringing torrential rainfall that’s triggering life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides in the affected areas.
Non-stop Rain and its Impact
The NHC, which is based in the US state of Florida, predicted Thursday that Tropical Storm John would produce “torrential at times” rainfall through Friday that could reach as much 15 inches (38 centimeters) in parts of Chiapas and nearly double that in areas of Oaxaca and Guerrero. The unprecedented amount of rainfall has already caused devastating mudslides and flooding, and the situation is life-threatening to the local communities.
It has prompted a red alert which means residents are asked to find sanctuary and remain indoors to protect themselves from potentially devastating conditions. John has been accompanied by torrential rains in several states of Mexico, with some regions receiving up to 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) of rainfall, the National Civil Protection agency reported. The situation has forced the local government to act quickly, opening temporary shelters, suspending school classes and closing beaches while deploying machinery such as trucks and bulldozers to clear roads.
Preparing for the Worst — Lessons from the Past
Abstract: Of course, the destruction resulting from Tropical Storm John also underscores the need for disaster preparation in general. Hurricane Otis, a category 5 storm, slammed into the beachside city of Acapulco last year (in Guerrero) killing dozens and leaving a trail of destruction.
Authorities failed to act on Otis at first because it became the most powerful Category 5 storm in a matter of hours as it intensified rapidly from a tropical storm. The endeavor illustrates the necessity of better emergency response systems and preventative solutions to fragile coastal populations in Mexico.
In some of the areas that will be affected he has asked the residents to do so with promptness, “material possessions matter little.” Provincial authorities have also carried out measures to curb the effects, from suspending classes and closing beaches to setting up temporary shelters for those displaced by the storm.
Conclusion
The latest assault from Tropical Storm John on Mexico’s Pacific coast is a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather. So tune in and reflect what actions need to be taken at either government or community level to reinforce action plans when they are faced with storms intensifying because of climate change. Focusing on people, safety and investing in solutions is a matter of necessity in order to protect Mexico´s coastline from the impacts of these disastrous storms.
