Agatha intensifies to category 3 hurricane; 203 shelters activated on the Oaxaca Coast

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It is expected to make landfall on Monday afternoon in category 3, with winds of 178 to 208 kilometers per hour; could knock down roofs of houses, trees, as well as cause landslides and flooding of rivers, explained SMN staff.

Santiago Juxtlahuaca. – The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) and the National Water Commission (Conagua) reported that Hurricane Agatha intensified to category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, at 4:00 p.m. this Sunday and remains heading to the Oaxaca Coast.

“It registered maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (km/h), gusts of 215 km/h, and displacement towards the northeast at 2 km/h; its center was located approximately 295 km southwest of Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca,” the institutions said in a statement.

Before the arrival of the hurricane on the coast of the state, the authorities activated 203 temporary shelters for victims, mainly in Puerto Escondido, Santa María Huatulco, and Puerto Ángel, with a reception capacity of 26,800 people and more than 5,240 identified tourists. reported Luis Alberto Ortega Velásquez, director of the National Center for Communication and Civil Protection Operations ( Cenacom ).

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Navy (Semar), indicated that yesterday it began with the closure of beaches and businesses. Until this Saturday afternoon, in Oaxaca, minor navigation remains closed in the ports of Puerto Escondido, Puerto Ángel, Bahías de Huatulco and Salina Cruz.

“Oaxaca is the one that will receive the impact and part of Guerrero, Chiapas, the central and southern part of Veracruz, Tabasco, and the Yucatan peninsula,” said the National Meteorological Service (SMN)

Hurricane Agatha is expected to make landfall on Monday afternoon as a category 3, with winds of 178 to 208 kilometers per hour; due to the impact, it could knock down the roofs of houses, and trees, as well as cause landslides and flooding of rivers, explained the SMN staff.

Meanwhile, this Sunday afternoon, moderate to severe rains remains in different areas of the state of Oaxaca.

“Flooding can be caused by rain, known as pluvial flooding, it is important not to cross rivers when there is a flood. A call to all, so that they are aware of all the notices issued by Conagua and Civil Protection”, they exhorted.

“Hurricane-force winds (maximum-sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are expected near where the storm makes landfall along Mexico’s southern coast, which can lead to downed trees and power lines, and structural damage,”

An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ wind gust of 145 mph (230 km/h) is forecast near where the center of Agatha moves onshore. Anyone without adequate shelter from these fierce winds will be subject to flying debris.

These strong winds can also kick up dangerous surf along the entire southern coast of Mexico, making it dangerous for swimmers to enter the water and for boaters to venture offshore.

Large and destructive waves will not be the only coastal hazard. Strong onshore winds will cause water to pile up at the coast, with a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) expected to cause inundation near and to the east of where the center of Agatha moves onshore.

“Flooding rainfall is expected to be one of the biggest impacts across southern Mexico and parts of Central America,”.

Heavy rain is likely to pour down from Acapulco to Oaxaca and Tehuacán, Mexico, from late Sunday into Tuesday, posing a significant risk to life and property.

“The heaviest rain will fall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, causing flash flooding, mudslides, and road closures”.

Residents living in and around mountainous areas will be at the highest risk to experience these life-threatening dangers, as the steep slopes can easily give way once the ground becomes extremely saturated. Mudslides can occur with little warning, making it vital for people to be aware of rapidly changing conditions and have an emergency plan in place.

Rain amounts of 6 inches (150 mm) or more are expected to be widespread across southern Mexico during the life span of the storm. Coastal portions of Oaxaca and Chiapas can expect the highest rain amounts of 8-12 inches (200-300 mm). Mountainous areas will be most likely to reach the AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 28 inches (710 mm).

“Additional heavy rainfall is expected after the storm which can lead to additional flooding and hamper cleanup efforts”.

AccuWeather meteorologists have rated Agatha a 3 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes due to the intense wind gusts and high flooding threat in Mexico.

The 2022 East Pacific tropical season is off to a quick start after beginning on May 15. AccuWeather forecasters are predicting a normal to above-normal season with 15-19 named storms and the possibility of six to eight of them reaching hurricane force. The normal count of named storms in the basin is about 15 storms, with eight achieving hurricane status.

AccuWeather meteorologists will be closely monitoring the leftover energy from Agatha as it crosses Mexico and enters the Bay of Campeche during the first days of June. Here, there is a chance it could redevelop into the Atlantic basin’s first named storm.

This Monday, May 30, and Tuesday, May 31, the basic education schools on the Coast, Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Cuenca del Papaloapan, Sierra Norte, Sierra Sur, and the Mixteca de Oaxaca will remain closed until weather conditions improve, the Institute notified. State of Public Education of Oaxaca ( IEEPO ).

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