Carlotta strikes Mexico as a Category 1 hurricane
OAXACA, Mexico, June 16, 2012 (AFP) - Hurricane Carlotta struck the coast of southern Mexico late Friday with sustained winds of 150 km (90 miles) an hour, the US-based National Hurricane Center reported.
Carlotta, a Category 1 hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale, made landfall just north-west of Puerto Escondido, in the western Mexican state of Oaxaca, the NHC said. US forecasters warned of heavy rain that “could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.”Carlotta had lost steam by the time it made landfall -- hours earlier the storm had reached the more powerful Category 2 status -- and forecasters expected it to further weaken.
“Since Carlotta is interacting with the high terrain of Mexico, the maximum sustained winds have decreased,” the NHC said. “Additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.” There were no immediate reports in Oaxaca state of victims or serious damage.
Mexico's Weather Service warned of “intense to torrential rainfall with electric storms, high waves and hurricane-level wind” in Oaxaca and nearby Guerrero.
Due to large waves whipped up by the storm shipping was halted in the ports of Salina Cruz, Huatulco, Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, officials said.
In preparation for landfall, Mexican authorities had set up 32 shelters able to hold 2,000 people, while auditoriums and other indoor spaces were readied as a precautionary measure.
Carlotta was heading towards the northwest at a speed of nearly 17 km per hour, the NHC said.
“On the forecast track, the center of Carlotta will be moving inland over southern Mexico for the next few days,” the NHC said. “However a small deviation to the left of the track could keep the center of the cyclone over water or along the coast.
The NHC warned of “a dangerous storm surge” forecast to produce “significant coastal flooding ... mainly to the east of the center.
“Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.” The storm is expected to dump 75 to 125 mm (3 to 5 inches) of rain through Monday over Chiapas, Guerrero and northern Oaxaca, “with 150 to 250 mm (6 to 10 inches) expected over southern Oaxaca.” Carlotta however is not expected to affect a G20 summit happening in Los Cabos, Mexico, as delegates began gathering for the Monday and Tuesday meetings.
Carlotta, a Category 1 hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale, made landfall just north-west of Puerto Escondido, in the western Mexican state of Oaxaca, the NHC said. US forecasters warned of heavy rain that “could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.”Carlotta had lost steam by the time it made landfall -- hours earlier the storm had reached the more powerful Category 2 status -- and forecasters expected it to further weaken.
“Since Carlotta is interacting with the high terrain of Mexico, the maximum sustained winds have decreased,” the NHC said. “Additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.” There were no immediate reports in Oaxaca state of victims or serious damage.
Mexico's Weather Service warned of “intense to torrential rainfall with electric storms, high waves and hurricane-level wind” in Oaxaca and nearby Guerrero.
Due to large waves whipped up by the storm shipping was halted in the ports of Salina Cruz, Huatulco, Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, officials said.
In preparation for landfall, Mexican authorities had set up 32 shelters able to hold 2,000 people, while auditoriums and other indoor spaces were readied as a precautionary measure.
Carlotta was heading towards the northwest at a speed of nearly 17 km per hour, the NHC said.
“On the forecast track, the center of Carlotta will be moving inland over southern Mexico for the next few days,” the NHC said. “However a small deviation to the left of the track could keep the center of the cyclone over water or along the coast.
The NHC warned of “a dangerous storm surge” forecast to produce “significant coastal flooding ... mainly to the east of the center.
“Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.” The storm is expected to dump 75 to 125 mm (3 to 5 inches) of rain through Monday over Chiapas, Guerrero and northern Oaxaca, “with 150 to 250 mm (6 to 10 inches) expected over southern Oaxaca.” Carlotta however is not expected to affect a G20 summit happening in Los Cabos, Mexico, as delegates began gathering for the Monday and Tuesday meetings.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you. Comments are welcome.
ivan