Yahoo TV

STORY: :: People along Mexico's Pacific coast

brace for incoming Hurricane John

:: September 23, 2024

:: The storm grew to Category 2 and could

strengthen before making landfall

:: Oaxaca, Mexico

"We are still in time to save our boats. We are working hard, but we are here with the best attitude."

"We are very concerned. We are service providers, so the fishermen are taking the boats out of here. Let's hope that God will divert (this storm). Forty years ago, we did not have a storm like this; it was only hurricanes, but they have not become significant storms."

Hurricane John was located 55 miles (89 km) south of Punta Maldonado, in Mexico's Guerrero state, and blowing winds near 100 mph (160.9 kph) with higher gusts, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Under cloudy skies in Puerto Escondido on Monday, locals were seen swiftly towing boats and storing away beach chairs in preparation for the storm.

Mexican authorities announced school closures in parts of Oaxaca and neighboring Guerrero as the storm approached.

The NHC urged residents to prepare for potentially deadly storm surges and flooding, while Oaxaca's governor said he had instructed authorities to coordinate with at-risk communities.

Local fisherman Jesus Sanchez is confident they can still save their boats by working hard and maintaining a positive attitude. "We are still in time to save our boats. We are working hard, but we are here with the best attitude."

Restaurant owner Paula Sanchez expresses deep concern about the approaching storm, "We are very concerned. We are service providers, so the fishermen are taking the boats out of here. Let's hope that God will divert (this storm)."

Mexico's government issued a hurricane warning for communities between Punta Maldonado and tourist hub Huatulco, including the famous beach resort of Acapulco, while a tropical storm warning stretches east of Huatulco to the major port of Salina Cruz.