Hurricane Trudy strengthens to Category 1 off Mexico’s Pacific coast

Hurricane Trudy strengthened to a Category 1 storm Thursday off Mexico’s Pacific coast, prompting warnings of intense rainfall, strong winds and hazardous sea conditions in the southern states of Guerrero and Oaxaca. At 3 am local time, the storm’s center was located 480 kilometers (298 miles) southwest of Acapulco, a coastal city in Guerrero, and 735 kilometers (457 miles) southeast of Manzanillo, a port city in the neighboring state of Colima, according to Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua). Trudy had maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour, with gusts reaching 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour. It was moving northwest at 15 kilometers (9 miles) per hour, Conagua said in a post on the US social media platform X. Intense rainfall is forecast for northeastern and southwestern parts of Oaxaca, while very heavy rain is expected in western, southern and eastern areas of Guerrero. Wind gusts of 50-70 kilometers (31-43 miles) per hour and waves reaching 2-3 meters (6.5-9.8 feet) are also expected along the coasts of the two states, according to the agency. Mexico’s National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC), part of the Security and Citizen Protection Ministry, urged residents and visitors to avoid beaches and areas affected by strong waves. The agency also advised people not to cross flooded streets, rivers or streams, warning against attempting to pass through areas where water levels could pose a danger. The warnings come as Trudy moves northwest over the Pacific Ocean, with authorities monitoring its intensity and potential effects on coastal communities. Residents in potentially affected areas are advised to follow official announcements as forecasts evolve and to take precautions against heavy rainfall, strong winds and dangerous sea conditions. Conagua and civil protection authorities are providing updates to inform the public about the storm’s development and expected impacts.