CNN

‘Zombie’ Hurricane John floods Mexico’s southwestern coast

Sep 26, 2024, 5:20 PM

Security forces stands guard on a flooded road after Hurricane John in Acapulco, Mexico on Septembe...

Security forces stands guard on a flooded road after Hurricane John in Acapulco, Mexico on September 26. (Francisco Robles/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

(Francisco Robles/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

(CNN) Towns along Mexico’s southwestern coast are dealing with torrential rain, flooding, and landslides after tropical storm John strengthened back into a Category 1 hurricane on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

John is considered a “zombie” storm – a term referring to systems that dissipate before strengthening back into a storm. After slamming into Mexico as a deadly Category 3 hurricane on Monday night, it dissipated before returning as a hurricane, battering Mexico’s Pacific coast. Even after initially dissipating, remnants of the storm continued to move along the coast, bringing continuous rainfall.

In the resort city of Acapulco, which still hasn’t fully recovered from the destruction of Hurricane Otis last year, several neighborhoods were flooded and residents in at-risk areas were told to evacuate to temporary shelters. Parts of the city have received over 500mm of rain this week, and 431mm over just the past 24 hours.

A video posted on social media shows a taxi being carried away by the raging floodwaters with people still inside. The car eventually came to a stop and the passengers were carried away to safety by authorities nearby.

Emergency workers have been deployed to the city with rafts and boats to rescue those trapped by the rising waters, Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda said.

Officials have suspended operations at the Acapulco airport and schools across the state have been ordered to close until further notice.

In rural towns around Acapulco, residents have reported temporary power outages from the rain. Some markets have closed, preventing people from buying critical supplies to deal with the storm.

“I hope it doesn’t last for a long time because there won’t be enough food,” one resident told CNN.

The renewed hurricane is still expected to bring “very heavy to extraordinary” amounts of rain, strong winds, and high waves in the southwestern part of the country, the Mexican National Water Commission said in a statement on Thursday.

Along Guerrero’s Benito Juárez municipality, a river has started overflowing from a section of its bank, with water levels almost reaching the height of a bridge overhead. Residents fear it could flood parts of the town of San Jerónimo. Officials there are urging people to avoid approaching the riverbank and bridge.

Hurricane John was located about 120 km west of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero at noon ET on Thursday, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km per hour.

The storm is expected to drop 10 to 20 inches of rain across the states of Guerrero and Michoacán through Friday, and up to six inches across Colima and western Oaxaca.

KSL 5 TV Live

CNN

Palestinians walk in the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, Ga...

Lucas Lilieholm, Michael Schwartz and Helen Regan, CNN

Israel backs Trump plan and orders military to prepare for Palestinians to leave Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed US President Donald Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza.

2 days ago

US Navy recovery teams lift the back wing section of American Airlines Flight 5342 from the Potomac...

Andy Rose, CNN

Latest radar evidence suggests Black Hawk in DC disaster was flying too high, but NTSB wants more proof

Newly released data from ground-based radar came out Tuesday suggesting an Army helicopter was flying higher than it was supposed to be when it collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 a week ago, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft.

3 days ago

FILE - U.S. Postal Service trucks park outside a post office in Wheeling, Ill., Monday, Jan. 29, 20...

Eric Cheung and Ramishah Maruf, CNN

US Postal Service suspends incoming parcels from China and Hong Kong

The US Postal Service says it has temporarily suspended the acceptance of incoming international parcels from China and Hong Kong until further notice.

4 days ago

Fans booing as the US national anthem is sung before the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings pl...

Ben Church, CNN

Toronto Raptors fans continue trend of booing US national anthem after Trump imposes tariffs on Canada

Supporters at an NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers continued the trend of Canadian sports fans booing the US national anthem on Sunday, a day after Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canada.

6 days ago

First responders work the scene after a plane crash in Philadelphia, on Friday. (Matt Rourke/AP via...

CNN

7 dead, including 1 on ground, after a medevac jet with a child patient and her mother crashes in Philadelphia, mayor says

Seven people are dead after a medevac jet carrying a child patient and her mother crashed in a neighborhood in Philadelphia Friday night.

6 days ago

FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks to journalists at the Omaha FBI office on Wednesday, Aug. 10, ...

Evan Perez and Zachary Cohen, CNN

Senior FBI leaders ordered to retire, resign or be fired by Monday

At least six senior FBI leaders have been ordered to retire, resign, or be fired by Monday, according to sources briefed on the matter.

9 days ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

‘Zombie’ Hurricane John floods Mexico’s southwestern coast