Historic Hurricane Agatha hit the southern coast of Mexico on Monday. Sustained 110mph winds, strong storm surges and driving rain raised fears of deadly flooding and landslides.
Agatha will be the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in May in the eastern Pacific. Up to 20 inches of rain was forecast for some areas.
“Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large, destructive waves,” warned John Cangialosi, National Weather Service hurricane specialist, and deeper in Mexico, “life-threatening flash floods and mudslides can occur. “.
AccuWeather meteorologists said Agatha, as it crosses Mexico and enters the Bay of Campeche in the coming days, could re-develop into the Atlantic Basin’s first named storm.
AccuWeather said Agatha moved northeast at 8 mph. The storm was expected to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane – maximum sustained winds of 96 to 110 mph – Monday evening in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Wind gusts of up to 145 mph were possible.
In Oaxaca, heavy rains in 2018 caused a hill to collapse and submerge the rural town of Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec. At least 16 people were killed and the town was destroyed.
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AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff said only two hurricanes in history had made landfall in Mexico during the month of May – Barbara on May 29, 2013 and a previous Agatha on May 24, 1971 – both of which were Category 1 storms.
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Strong onshore winds along the Oaxaca coast will drive Agatha water along the coast, and a storm surge of up to 10 feet is expected, Accuweather said.
At risk, a series of tourist beaches and fishing villages. Heavy rain and large waves battered Zipolite, a resort town with a clothing-optional beach, sea turtle conservation area and protected coral reefs.
“The ocean is really choppy and it’s raining a lot,” said Silvia Ranfagni, manager of Zipolite’s Casa Kalmar hotel. She said she would take Agatha out to the estate.
The eastern Pacific tropical season, which started on May 15, could be more damaging than normal. AccuWeather predicts normal to above-normal season with 15-19 named storms; six to eight of them could reach hurricane status. The first is Agatha.
“The flooding rains are expected to be one of the most significant impacts in southern Mexico and parts of Central America,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski. “Additional heavy rain is expected after the storm, which may lead to additional flooding and hamper cleanup efforts.”
Contribute: The Associated Press