MEXICO CITY — Hurricane Trudy has rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it churns toward Mexico’s Pacific coast, packing maximum sustained winds of nearly 120 mph (195 kph) with even higher gusts, weather officials confirmed on Friday.
Expected Path and Intensification
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), additional strengthening is anticipated before Trudy approaches the Mexican coastline on Saturday. Forecasters warn that the system could reach Category 4 or 5 status before making landfall.
As of Friday, the center of the storm was located approximately 250 miles (400 km) south-southwest of Acapulco. Heavy rainfall of up to 12 inches (30 cm) is forecast across the states of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco, dramatically raising the risk of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
Precautionary Measures Underway
Mexico’s civil protection authorities have urged residents along the threatened coastal corridor to immediately finalize storm preparations. Recommended safety measures include:
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- Boarding up windows and securing exterior doors.
- Clearing or anchoring outdoor objects that could become airborne projectiles in high winds.
- Preparing emergency kits and identifying nearby evacuation shelters.
The approaching tempest threatens a coastline that has already endured destructive storms in recent weeks, leaving communities particularly vulnerable to renewed flooding. Meanwhile, farther northwest offshore, Tropical Storm Simon continues to weaken after impacting coastal areas with heavy precipitation earlier in the week.