Storm Flossie strengthens into a hurricane near Mexico coast

Storm Flossie strengthens into a hurricane near Mexico coast

The meteorological agency reported Flossie located 280 km away from Manzanillo port in Colima state.

This satellite image shows Tropical Storm Flossie over the North Pacific Ocean. (NOAA/AP pic)
MEXICO CITY:
Tropical Storm Flossie strengthened into a hurricane on Monday near Mexico’s Pacific coast where it is expected to bring torrential rains, the US National Hurricane Center said.

Flossie was located 280km (170 miles) from the port of Manzanillo in the Mexican state of Colima, the meteorological agency said in its latest report.

It was generating maximum sustained winds of 120km/h (75mph) and was moving at 17km/h (10mph), it added.

The storm is expected to move parallel to the Pacific coast until it moves away from Mexican territory, likely leading to rain in the states of Michoacan, Guerrero, Colima, and some areas of Jalisco and Oaxaca.

“The rainfall could cause landslides, rising river and stream levels, Mexico’s National Water Commission said in a statement, adding that flooding in low-lying areas could also be expected.

Although a direct hit from Flossie is not expected, President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents to “exercise extreme caution” in a message posted on social media on Sunday.

Mexico is hit by cyclones every year, both on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, usually between May and November.

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