Mexico: Lorena strengthens to a hurricane off the coast of Colima Sep. 18 /update 2

Event

According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Lorena strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane off the coast of Colima as of 22:00 (local time) on Wednesday, September 18. A Hurricane Warning from Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes remains in effect, while a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued from Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita. The center of Lorena is expected to move near or over the hurricane warning area through Wednesday night into Thursday, September 19, before moving west-northwest towards southern Baja California Sur. Mexico’s National Meteorological Service has warned that very heavy rains are expected to hit the states of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco on Wednesday night. 

As of 22:00 on September 18, Lorena is located at approximately 18.7°N 104.7°W (map here). The hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 120 kph (75 mph) and is moving northwest at 19 kph (12 mph). Lorena is expected to slow down on Thursday before moving towards Baja California Sur on Friday, September 20. Rainfall totals of 12-25 cm (5-10 in), with isolated totals of 38 cm (15 in) along the coastal areas, are expected in the region.

Life-threatening flash flooding, damaging winds, and high storm surge are likely throughout the abovementioned areas. Associated power outages and disruptions to transportation and business services are possible in areas forecast to be affected by the system over the coming days.

Advice

Individuals in areas forecast to be affected by Hurricane Lorena are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm flight reservations, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate adverse weather and power and transportation disruptions, and remember that running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and never drive through flooded streets; floodwater may also contain wastewater and chemical products.