On Sunday, Hurricane Trudy unleashed heavy rain and strong winds along Mexico’s Pacific coast. This affected areas in the country’s western and southwestern states, already reeling from Hurricane Simon the previous week.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued warnings that hurricane and tropical storm conditions were likely in alerted regions throughout Sunday morning and afternoon. Coastal regions of Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco were advised to prepare for potential life-threatening flooding and mudslides due to impending rainfall.
The hurricane warning extended from Manzanillo in Colima state to Cabo Corrientes in Jalisco. Early Sunday updates from the hurricane center reported Trudy’s maximum sustained winds at 105 mph, classifying it as a Category 2 hurricane.
Initially strengthening into a Category 3 hurricane as it approached Mexico late last week, Trudy weakened and was located about 135 miles west-southwest of Manzanillo, progressing northwest at 10 mph. NOAA satellite imagery showed Trudy near the coast through Sunday evening.
A tropical storm warning continued for Las Islas Marias, while a coastal warning for the area east of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas was discontinued. The Mexican Navy urged caution due to high waves and heavy rains, with rising rivers and landslides being potential threats in vulnerable zones.
Colima authorities noted low risks but warned of possible damage from heavy rainfall on the already saturated Pacific coast. Trudy was forecasted to bring 4 to 8 inches of rain over the weekend, with isolated amounts reaching 12 inches along coastal areas in Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. The hurricane center highlighted steep terrain as being particularly prone to floods and mudslides.
Other Pacific storms
Meanwhile, Typhoon Champi made its way past Guam as an intense super typhoon with winds reaching Category 4 strength. On Sunday, the storm moved away from Guam’s southern tip, with sustained winds of 150 mph.
By Sunday afternoon, local time, Champi was 200 miles west of Guam, traveling west at 14 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasts suggested it might escalate to a Category 5 super typhoon by early Monday.
Guam and Rota remained under a typhoon warning, whereas warnings for Tinian and Saipan were lifted. Requests for emergency disaster declarations were filed by the governors of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
On Saturday, President Trump approved an emergency declaration for Guam, allowing FEMA to manage federal disaster relief efforts. FEMA announced federal assistance to bolster Guam’s local response after Typhoon Champi.
Territorial challenges include closed airports, harbors, and some healthcare facilities, with resource access unlikely for three to five days according to Saturday’s FEMA updates. The territories continue recovery from super typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, which struck in April and July.
In: Weather Forecast, National Weather Service, Mexico Hurricane, National Hurricane Center
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