Category 3 Hurricane John hits Mexico coast with risk of catastrophic flooding

This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite image taken at 6:10pm ET shows Hurricane John near southern Mexico on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (NOAA via AP)

Hurricane John struck Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Monday after strengthening from a tropical storm to a major hurricane in a matter of hours.

The hurricane’s rapid intensification caught authorities off guard as they scrambled to update their guidance to residents and keep pace with the stronger storm, bringing fierce winds and heavy rainfall.