Rainfall could reach 12 inches as hurricane trudy looms toward mexico’s pacific coast, strengthens into huge storm

Trudy’s path and strength

Officials reported Thursday that Trudy had strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. It was traveling northwest at 9 mph, or 15 kph. Forecasters expect the storm to draw near the coast of southwestern and west-central Mexico this weekend. They anticipate it could become a major hurricane on Friday.

Rain and coastal hazards

Rainfall of 4 to 8 inches is forecast in Colima and Jalisco through the weekend. The report also gives isolated totals of around 12 inches across southwestern Mexican states.

Forecasters cautioned that heavy rain could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly near steep terrain. Trudy-generated swells are expected to reach parts of the southwestern Mexican coast over the next day or so, bringing dangerous surf and rip currents.

Recent storms in Mexico

Earlier this month, Hurricane Rachel intensified into a Category 3 system off Mexico’s Pacific coast. It arrived as parts of the US Southwest and northern Mexico were recovering from damage and severe flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Polo the previous week.

Northern Mexico was still dealing with flooding and destruction when Rachel hit. Local authorities said hundreds of people remained displaced or had lost their homes, and at least 13 municipalities stayed flooded for days.