The death toll resulting from the impact of Hurricane Simon and the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel in Mexico’s Pacific coastal areas has climbed to six as confirmed by authorities on Tuesday. Extensive heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides in the regions.
Hurricane Simon, maintaining its slow movement as a Category 1 storm off the Pacific coast of Mexico, brought substantial rainfall to Nayarit and Sinaloa states, prompting authorities to remain vigilant against rising river levels and potential flooding. The weekend saw the hurricane unleash heavy rains in Guerrero, resulting in the unfortunate demise of one individual.
However, the most severe damage occurred further north in Ensenada, Baja California, where flooding caused by the remnants of Storm Rachel claimed the lives of at least five individuals. Among the victims were a 13-year-old girl discovered on Sunday, two women aged 30 and 35, a four-year-old boy found on Monday, and an unidentified individual located near a stream on Tuesday, as reported by the state prosecutor’s office.
In Baja California, five individuals, including three in Ensenada and a father-son duo who went fishing in San Felipe but did not return, were reported missing. The flooding in Buena Vista community, Ensenada, initiated during the night after a power outage caused by heavy rain, witnessed residents like Johana Nuriulu recounting the sudden and loud flooding that swept through the area.
Numerous communities in Baja California faced isolation due to landslides and overflowing rivers. The Mexican military conducted helicopter rescues, saving 32 individuals, including 22 foreigners, from a ranch in Ensenada, with 13 being youths, according to Governor Marina del Pilar Avila.
Amid ongoing efforts, over 14,000 federal and state personnel have been deployed in Baja California to provide assistance to affected residents and address the emergency situation. Meanwhile, Hurricane Simon caused destruction in coastal towns of Guerrero state, including Acapulco, where trees were toppled, roads blocked, and homes flooded, leading to one casualty.
As Hurricane Simon gained strength in the Pacific Ocean, nearing hurricane status once more, concerns arose about potential life-threatening flooding and mudslides as it approached the western coast of Mexico, possibly making landfall by late Friday. In Puerto Vallarta, businesses resumed operations following a decrease in rainfall, with workers dismantling protective panels from storefronts after the airport’s temporary closure.
On the other hand, Tropical Storm Rachel transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone as it advanced northward into Southern California, causing havoc with large waves that damaged a boardwalk and homes in Long Beach, necessitating evacuations for some residents.
