The death toll resulting from Hurricane Simon and the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel climbed to six on Tuesday as Mexico’s Pacific coast faced severe flooding and landslides due to heavy rains, according to authorities.
As a Category 1 storm, Hurricane Simon lingered near Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing intense rainfall to Nayarit and Sinaloa states, prompting authorities to remain vigilant for potential river overflow and flooding. While one fatality was reported in Guerrero over the weekend, the most significant impact was felt in Ensenada, Baja California, where Rachel’s remnants caused fatal flooding that claimed the lives of at least five individuals.
Among the victims were a 13-year-old girl found on Sunday, two women aged 30 and 35, a four-year-old boy recovered on Monday, and an unidentified person discovered near a stream on Tuesday, as confirmed by the state prosecutor’s office. Additionally, five individuals were reported missing in Baja California, including three in Ensenada and a father-son duo who went fishing in San Felipe on Saturday but did not return.
Residents in Ensenada’s Buena Vista community, like Johana Nuriulu, recounted how the sudden flooding began after a night of heavy rainfall that led to power outages. Nuriulu described hearing a deafening noise resembling ocean waves, which turned out to be an overflowing stream inundating their neighborhood, causing extensive damage and sweeping away vehicles and belongings.
Numerous communities across Baja California faced isolation due to landslides and rising river levels. A significant rescue operation was carried out by the Mexican military using helicopters to save 32 individuals, including 22 foreigners, from a ranch in Ensenada. Governor Marina del Pilar Avila highlighted that the rescued group included 13 youths and involved missionaries from Germany and the United States.
In response to the crisis, approximately 14,000 federal and state personnel were mobilized in Baja California to provide aid to affected residents. Meanwhile, Hurricane Simon wreaked havoc in Guerrero state, particularly in Acapulco, where downed trees, blocked roads, and flooded homes were reported. Tragically, a 71-year-old man lost his life in Chilpancingo after a wall collapsed.
As Hurricane Simon intensified in the Pacific Ocean and headed towards western Mexico, concerns grew over potential life-threatening flooding and mudslides before its anticipated landfall on Friday. In Puerto Vallarta, preparations began as businesses reopened following eased rainfall, although the international airport remained closed temporarily. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone as it moved north into Southern California, causing destruction with powerful waves that damaged infrastructure and forced evacuations in Long Beach.