Hurricane Trudy hits category 3 off Mexico’s coast after earlier storms kill six

Trudy strengthens offshore

Trudy was located about 260 miles (420 kilometers) southwest of Acapulco and 365 miles (590 kilometers) south-southeast of Manzanillo on Friday. It had intensified into a major storm and reached Category 3 status.

The storm was expected to strengthen over the next few days. Its eye was forecast to approach the coast of southwestern and west-central Mexico on Saturday.

Earlier storms bring deaths

At least six people died along Mexico’s Pacific coast earlier in the week after heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides associated with Hurricane Simon and the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel, authorities confirmed. Simon was recorded as a Category 1 storm before gaining strength Tuesday evening to near major hurricane status, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Five deaths occurred in Ensenada, Baja California, in flooding linked to Rachel’s remnants. The state prosecutor’s office told AP that those found dead included a 13-year-old girl, two women aged 30 and 35, a four-year-old boy, and one person who remained unidentified.

Search and flood damage

Flooding destroyed property, swept away vehicles and cut off isolated communities. Ensenada resident Johana Nuriulu said floodwaters rose quickly overnight after a power outage. “The water was sweeping everything away,” Nuriulu said.

Rescues and Pacific weather

Army officials confirmed that 22 people who were saved were foreign nationals. Baja California Security Secretary General Laureano Carrillo said they included citizens of Germany and the United States.

Tropical Storm Champi was east of Guam on Friday, moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kmph). Its sustained winds reached 52 mph (86 kmph).