### Hurricane “John” Intensifies to Category 2
**TJGringo.com Update: September 23, 2024**
Hurricane “John” has rapidly intensified, reaching Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN). This weather phenomenon is currently located 90 kilometers south of Punta Maldonado, Guerrero, and 155 kilometers west of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.
With sustained winds of up to 155 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 195 kilometers per hour, “John” is moving slowly northward. It poses a significant threat to landfall between Monday night and early Tuesday morning in the regions of Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca, and Copala, Guerrero.
The National Water Commission (Conagua) has issued alerts for torrential and extraordinary rainfall, very strong winds, and elevated waves in the southern and southeastern parts of Mexico. The effects of the hurricane are also expected to impact the central and eastern regions of the country, with intense rains forecasted for Veracruz and Puebla, and very heavy rains in Tabasco, Michoacán, and Morelos.
Authorities have urged the population to take extreme precautions, follow the recommendations of Civil Protection, and avoid maritime navigation in the affected areas. Evelyn Salgado Pineda, the Governor of Guerrero, has declared a continuous session for the State Civil Protection Council to coordinate response actions for the hurricane’s arrival.
**From Storm to Hurricane**
The tropical storm “John” intensified to a Category 1 hurricane south of Guerrero and Oaxaca and was projected to reach Category 2, or even Category 3, before making landfall, according to the SMN.
“The Government of Mexico calls for extreme precautions to reduce risks for the population and protect their properties due to the effects of tropical storm John, located off the coast of Oaxaca, and the potential tropical cyclone Nine, located west of the Caribbean Sea,” stated the SMN.
Originating from tropical depression 10-E, Hurricane “John” showcases maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 165 kilometers per hour, moving toward the north at six kilometers per hour.
In a press conference, Alejandra Méndez Girón, the General Coordinator of the SMN, predicted that “John” will make landfall between Tuesday morning and afternoon, between Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, and Copala, Guerrero. She also noted that the system’s circulation is expected to cause intense to extraordinary rainfall in Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas.
As of 9:00 AM Central Mexico Time, the center of tropical storm “John” was located 165 kilometers south of Punta Maldonado, Guerrero, and 185 kilometers southwest of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, with winds of 110 kilometers per hour and gusts of 140 kilometers per hour, moving north at six kilometers per hour. Precautionary zones have been established for hurricane effects from Punta Maldonado to Bahías de Huatulco, Oaxaca, and tropical storm effects from east of Bahías de Huatulco to Salina Cruz, Oaxaca.
For more updates and detailed information, stay tuned to TJGringo.com.
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### Secondary Update: Hurricane “Lee” Develops in the Atlantic
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane “Lee” has formed and is intensifying rapidly. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), “Lee” has reached Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale with sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour. Currently located 800 kilometers east of the Leeward Islands, the cyclone is moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.
“Lee” is projected to strengthen further, potentially reaching Category 3 as it approaches the Caribbean. Residents in the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic should closely monitor this system, as it could bring heavy rains, strong winds, and elevated sea levels.
Authorities in the affected regions have issued precautionary measures and urged the population to be prepared for emergency situations. The public is advised to stay updated through reliable news sources and heed the advice of local authorities and emergency services.
For more comprehensive coverage on Hurricane “Lee” and other developing storms, visit TJGringo.com.