Hurricane Raymond Forms Off Mexican Coast: Acapulco Faces Further Flooding

Tropical storm Raymond has formed in the Mexican Pacific near the resort city of Acapulco in the early hours of Sunday morning, moving to dump torrential rain on the city which is still recovering from devastating floods. According to Reuters, the National Hurricane Center has released a statement saying that the storm was expected to become a hurricane within 48 hours. The Mexican Government has issued a storm watch for the area extending between Acapulco and Lazaro Cardenas. Raymond had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was located approximately about 180 miles (295 kms) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. It is moving northwest at a speed of 7 mph (11 kph). The heavy rain could cause flash flooding and mud slides.

The news of Raymond comes in the wake of the worst flooding Mexico has ever suffered after tropical storms Manuel and Ingrid converged from both the Pacifica and the Gulf of Mexico in mid-September, causing $6 billion in damages and killing over 150 people. Acapulco was one of the worst affected cities, with 11 people killed and dozens of homes destroyed, as well as stranding thousands of tourists when the airport was flooded. The city has suffered greatly in recent months after gang and drug-releated violence: last month's hurricanes were the most damaging storms in the country's history. Two-thirds of the state's income comes from tourism, yet occupancy of hotels is at an all-time low with under 49% of rooms filled, Reuters reprots. No doubt this recent weather development will continue to worsen this unfortunate trend.