The southern Pacific coast of Mexico is reeling from the impact of Hurricane John, which struck the region twice within a week, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming 15 lives. The coastal areas, including the city of Coyuca de Benitez, located approximately 35 miles west of the renowned resort city of Acapulco, have been severely affected by the natural disaster.
On October 1, 2024, as floodwaters began to recede, residents of Coyuca de Benitez faced the grim task of dealing with the aftermath. Volunteers organized teams to dispose of animal carcasses in outlying areas, recognizing the potential health risks posed by the decomposing bodies. Armed with cans of diesel fuel, these groups set out to perform the necessary but unpleasant task of burning the remains.
The Mexican Army has initiated the distribution of aid packages to families in Coyuca de Benitez, a community that has faced repeated hurricane impacts in recent years. This region, part of Guerrero state, is known for its diverse geography, including mountains, valleys, and coastline, making it particularly vulnerable to various natural disasters.
The devastation caused by Hurricane John has left some residents contemplating their future in the area. Yahaira García Marín, a 32-year-old local, expressed her frustration: "I don't want to buy anything anymore, if this is going to continue happening every year." García Marín recounted her harrowing experience of fleeing in the night with her 80-year-old grandmother, leaving behind a house now marked by shoulder-high water stains.
Hurricane John made its initial landfall on September 23, 2024, as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The storm then regained strength and struck again as a tropical storm on September 29, 2024. This double impact resulted in the region receiving approximately 80% of its annual rainfall in just 4-5 days, with some areas recording over 3 feet (95 centimeters) of precipitation.
The extreme rainfall triggered landslides in the mountainous terrain behind the coast, leading to collapsed houses and blocked roads. This highlights the increased risk of such events in areas affected by deforestation, which is known to exacerbate landslide potential during heavy rains.
It's worth noting that Coyuca de Benitez and the surrounding areas were still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that devastated the region in October 2023. The repeated occurrence of such intense weather events has raised concerns about the long-term habitability of these coastal areas.
Climate scientists have long warned that global climate change is likely to increase the frequency and intensity of hurricanes worldwide. The Pacific coast of Mexico, being part of the "Ring of Fire," is already prone to various natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic activity.
As of October 1, 2024, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed the death toll of 15 people due to Hurricane John. However, he has not personally visited the disaster zone, raising questions about the government's response to the crisis.
Mexico's National Civil Protection System is coordinating disaster response efforts, but the scale of the devastation poses significant challenges. The repeated impacts of hurricanes on this region highlight the need for long-term strategies to enhance resilience and potentially reconsider urban planning in vulnerable coastal areas.
As the community of Coyuca de Benitez and neighboring areas begin the arduous process of recovery, the question remains: how many more hurricanes can these resilient coastal towns endure before fundamental changes become necessary?
"It was terrible, we had to grab what little we had and get out."
This poignant statement encapsulates the recurring nightmare faced by many residents along Mexico's southern Pacific coast, as they grapple with the increasing frequency and intensity of hurricane impacts in their once-idyllic coastal paradise.