atlantic ocean

Isaac strengthens into hurricane, could cause dangerous waves

MIAMI>> Isaac strengthened Friday into a hurricane in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean and could cause dangerous waves in parts of Bermuda, forecasters said.

The storm was about 980 miles east-northeast of Bermuda and about 1,175 miles west of the Azores, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It was heading east at 12 mph. There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but the waves could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in Bermuda, the Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Potentially dangerous waves also could spread to the Azores, the center said. Isaac is expected to strengthen before gradually weakening by the end of the weekend.

atlantic ocean

Joyce builds into tropical storm

Also Friday, Joyce became a tropical storm. It’s about 1,325 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands and has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving northwest at about 13 mph.

The storm was expected to strengthen gradually through Sunday before weakening early next week.

mexico

John hits Mexico’s Pacific coast a second time

MEXICO CITY>> Tropical Storm John made its second landfall along Mexico’s Pacific coast Friday, while in its wake authorities in the resort city of Acapulco called for help from anyone with a boat to deal with the flooding.

John came ashore near Tizupan in Michoacan state Friday with sustained winds of 45 mph after making its initial landfall farther east on the coast on Monday as a Category 3 hurricane.

Hours later it dissipated over the coastal mountains, but heavy rain was forecast to continue in the area, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

It blew tin roofs off houses, triggered mudslides and toppled scores of trees. After weakening inland, it reemerged over the ocean, reforming as a tropical storm Wednesday and eventually regaining hurricane strength.

At least eight people have died as a result of the storm. The rain has been the real problem. A year’s worth in a matter of days has pounded the coastal mountains setting off landslides and severe flooding in Acapulco and elsewhere.

The flooding is so bad in Acapulco — which still hasn’t recovered from Hurricane Otis in October — that the head of the municipal civil defense agency said authorities were starting to use boats inside the city to rescue people from low-lying neighborhoods.

Residents posted videos and photos of cars floating away in floodwaters, and people rescued from raging waters using life lines.

The city government called for anyone with a boat or personal watercraft to contribute them to rescue efforts in flooded neighborhoods. Gov. Evelyn Salgado said on X that tourism companies were starting to use personal watercraft and other small boats to rescue people in Acapulco.

Authorities reported they had performed an “important” number of water rescues Friday and that Acapulco’s airport remained closed.

The main highway connecting the coastal resort with Mexico City had also been blocked intermittently by landslides.