### Hurricane John Reawakens Acapulco Nightmare: Leaves 13 Dead in Guerrero; AMLO Confirms 5
**By: Julieta Aragón
September 27, 2024**
Acapulco residents are grappling with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane John, which has left parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca in disarray. 13 casualties have been reported by local authorities. Despite this, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador cited only five fatalities during his latest morning conference, attributing the deaths to initial reports and ongoing rescue missions.
The port city is struggling with widespread power outages, internet disruptions, and intermittent phone service. Entire neighborhoods, including the upscale Zona Diamante and nearly 40 other areas, are submerged. Food scarcity is looming as the storm damaged supply lines and local infrastructure.
“Strong winds are constant, and the ground keeps trembling,” an Acapulco resident reported. Water services have been suspended, exacerbating the crisis.
Although Hurricane John was downgraded to a tropical storm, its impact remained severe. It made landfall again in Michoacán’s Aguililla municipality at noon on September 27, 2024. According to various media sources, the casualties include four children in Acapulco, four women in Tlacoachistlahuaca and Malinaltepec, and five men—three of Chinese nationality—at the El Milagro Mine in Zirándaro de los Chávez.
President López Obrador, during his morning briefing, minimized the devastation, noting, “Two people died in Guerrero’s mountains and one in Acapulco two or three days ago.” He proceeded with a farewell tour of Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Quintana Roo.
Residents of Joyas del Marqués in Acapulco have reached out to authorities for help as floodwaters continue to rise. “No one has come to help us; not the Navy, Civil Protection, or any government agency,” a distressed woman pleaded in a video circulated by local media. Shelters are now housing 1,200 evacuees as rescue operations persist in the flooded neighborhoods.
Significant road blockages have been recorded, including landslides on the Michapa-Grutas de Cacahuamilpa highway and the closure of the Cuernavaca-Acapulco toll road. The Tres Palos Lagoon overflowed, causing a sinkhole on the Mexico-Acapulco free road near Acahuizotla, Chilpancingo. Acapulco’s airport operations are suspended due to flooding, leaving the city isolated.
Mayor Abelina López Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency and requested additional assistance, citing the overwhelming scale of the disaster compared to the municipal budget. President López Obrador assured, “We are supporting with everything.”
### Secondary Article: [Additional Information]
**Hurricane John’s Impact Worsens as Recovery Efforts Ramp Up**
Thousands remain displaced as rescue crews work tirelessly to provide relief and aid to those affected by Hurricane John. The Mexican Army, Navy, and National Guard are actively involved, with around 25,000 troops deployed to the disaster zones. Essential supplies like food and water are being distributed, and temporary kitchens have been set up in many areas.
Travel disruptions continue with multiple road closures and halted flights. The Cuernavaca-Acapulco toll road remains shut, and Acapulco’s airport is indefinitely closed due to severe flooding.
Federal and state governments are coordinating to prioritize emergency responses. The National Civil Protection System is leading operations to monitor and mitigate further risks posed by possible aftershocks and ongoing severe weather conditions.
Local NGOs and international humanitarian organizations are mobilizing resources to support the affected communities. Donations and volunteering efforts are surging as the calls for more aid grow louder in various regions touched by the storm.