Hurricane John Wreaks Havoc in Mexico: 22 Dead, Guerrero State Faces Worst Impact
Mexico City – Hurricane John has caused massive destruction in southwestern Mexico, claiming at least 22 lives and leaving widespread devastation in its wake. The hurricane, which made landfall on Monday, ravaged the country until Friday, causing floods, landslides, and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
Guerrero State Bears the Brunt
The state of Guerrero, one of Mexico's poorest regions, has been the most severely impacted. Local media reports that 18 of the 22 confirmed deaths occurred in Guerrero. Many of these fatalities were the result of landslides that buried victims under debris from their homes. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with emergency crews working tirelessly to retrieve people from collapsed structures and flooded areas.
Death Toll and Damage
In addition to the deaths in Guerrero, three more fatalities were reported in the southern state of Oaxaca, and a young boy drowned in a river in the northern state of Michoacán. The storm caused torrential rains and severe flooding, which compounded the challenges faced by local authorities in responding to the crisis.
Hurricane John’s Path of Destruction
Hurricane John intensified rapidly after forming earlier in the week, transforming into a powerful storm as it moved north along Mexico’s Pacific coastline. By the time it hit Guerrero on Monday, it had already developed into a formidable hurricane. As it continued northward, the storm brought heavy rains, flash flooding, and landslides, causing widespread havoc.
Although Hurricane John began to weaken and dissipate by Friday, the damage it left behind is substantial. Entire communities have been submerged, and major infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has been severely affected.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado has been sharing updates on social media, posting images of emergency rescue operations in the resort city of Acapulco, where boats, jet skis, and helicopters have been deployed to assist stranded residents. Many people were seen wading through waist-high water, seeking shelter or aid after their homes were flooded.
By Saturday morning, access to the region's airport had been restored, but the recovery process is just beginning. Residents, many with small children, used boats and surfboards to navigate floodwaters, pleading with authorities for assistance.
A Second Disaster in Under a Year
For Guerrero and Acapulco, Hurricane John is the second major disaster in less than a year. In October 2023, Hurricane Otis wreaked havoc on the region, killing over 50 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. Many parts of the region had yet to fully recover from that catastrophe when Hurricane John struck.
The rapid succession of these disasters has overwhelmed local resources, leaving communities struggling to rebuild amid back-to-back crises. Emergency officials are now focused on providing food, shelter, and medical care to the affected populations while assessing the full scope of the damage caused by Hurricane John.
Hurricane John’s destruction has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Mexico’s southwestern regions to natural disasters. With at least 22 people dead and hundreds more displaced, the path to recovery will be long and difficult. As relief efforts continue, local and federal authorities are working together to restore normalcy to the hardest-hit areas, particularly in Guerrero, where the impact has been devastating.
