In Pictures: Acapulco hit by landslides and floods as Hurricane John proceeds

Residents in south-western Mexico evacuated on Saturday as Hurricane John's remnants caused severe flooding and landslides. The storm, which battered the Pacific coastline for a week, left 22 dead. Guerrero was the hardest-hit state, with the disaster affecting Mexico's poorest communities. Floodwaters swept through neighborhoods, destroying homes and infrastructure, leaving destruction and forcing families into emergency shelters. Photo credit: @Urim50302666/X

The poorest state in Mexico, Guerrero, reported 18 fatalities, the majority of which were due to mudslides burying homes. The devastation extended to Oaxaca, with three deaths, and Michoacán, where a young boy drowned. The storm’s impact heightened regional fears. Local officials worked tirelessly to rescue survivors, but the vulnerable infrastructure complicated recovery amidst the flood chaos. Photo credit: @irene_makarenko/X

Hurricane John rapidly intensified into a major storm on Monday, striking Guerrero with destructive force. After dissipating briefly, it reformed offshore and continued along the coastline. The storm unleashed torrential rain and floods for days, worsening damage to communities already struggling. John’s unpredictable path and intensity made it difficult for residents and authorities to prepare, leaving thousands displaced and scrambling to protect their homes and families. Photo credit: @ElSitioNEWS/X

By Friday, Hurricane John had dissipated and was no longer considered an active storm. However, the aftermath was severe. Guerrero’s governor, Evelyn Salgado, posted images of rescue efforts in Acapulco, where responders used boats, jetskis, and helicopters to save stranded residents. Floodwaters began to recede, but the damage left many homeless and in desperate need of aid as communities worked to recover. Photo credit: @ElSitioNEWS/X

Acapulco faced severe flooding, with residents wading through waist-deep waters. Many evacuated on dinghies and surfboards, pleading for government support. The city hadn’t fully recovered from last year’s Hurricane Otis and now faced a second disaster in less than a year. Infrastructure was compromised, and officials struggled to manage the influx of displaced families seeking safety from flood-ravaged neighborhoods. Photo credit: @ElSitioNEWS/X

In October 2023, Hurricane Otis, a category 5 storm, devastated Acapulco, killing over 50 people and causing billions in damages. However, John's rainfall was nearly three times heavier, further damaging the city and complicating recovery. The relentless rain and weakened infrastructure led to severe flooding and challenges for emergency response teams. Photo credit: @GEZUPA/X

Local resident Jazmin Barrera said the storm’s impact was overwhelming, stating John was more devastating than Otis. “We haven’t seen the sun since Monday,” she told reporters. Authorities predicted continued heavy rains across Guerrero and parts of Oaxaca, though floodwaters were slowly receding. Despite some relief, many areas remained submerged, and residents awaited more government help. Photo credit: @ElSitioNEWS

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador assured citizens that shelters and food distribution centers were set up to assist displaced families. He announced aid would continue as the floodwaters receded, and government relief efforts would focus on rebuilding damaged communities. Meteorologists warned that warmer ocean temperatures fueled stronger hurricanes, giving coastal communities less time to prepare for storms like Otis and John. Photo credit: @ElSitioNEWS