24 Oct 2018 | 11:59 AM UTC
Mexico: Heavy rain from storms Willa and Vicente continues Oct. 24 /update 3
Heavy rain and potential for flooding as tropical depressions Willa and Vicente cross Mexico October 24
Event
Hurricane Willa made landfall on Mexico’s western coast near the town of Isla del Bosque (Sinaloa state) as a category 3 storm late on Tuesday, October 23. Willa has since weakened into a tropical depression and is currently - as of 03:00 (local time) on Wednesday - located over the state of Durango, 120 km (75 mi) east-northeast of the city of Durango, and moving in a northeasterly direction. Sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and heavy rain continue to be reported; up to 15 cm (6 in) of further rain with the potential to provoke life-threatening flash flooding and landslides is possible Wednesday in eastern Durango, northern Zacatecas and southern Coahuila. The storm system is expected to dissipate by Wednesday afternoon. All hurricane warnings have been canceled.
Thousands evacuated ahead of Willa’s arrival and the storm has left wind damage and power outages in its path. However, no major infrastructural damage or deaths have been reported so far, and roads in affected regions are expected to be open on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Vicente was located over Michoacán state, approximately 50 km (30 mi) north-northwest of Lázaro Cárdenas, as of 10:00 on Wednesday. Vicente continues to move in a northwesterly direction and is expected to bring up to 25 cm (10 in) of rain, and likely flooding, to parts of Guerrero, Michoacán , Colima, and Jalisco. No storm warnings are in effect.
Context
Mexico's Pacific Hurricane Season extends from May 15 to November 30 (and the Atlantic Hurricane Season from June 1 to November 30), with the largest concentration of storms typically occurring between August and October.
Advice
Individuals in Mexico are advised to follow weather forecasts issued by the Mexican weather service in the coming hours and days and adhere to any advice issued by regional authorities (e.g. potential evacuation orders). In the event of flooding, keep in mind that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.
