Sofia Barruti
(CNN) — Hurricane John slammed into Mexico’s southern coast Monday night after rapidly strengthening into a major Category 3 storm, prompting warnings of “life-threatening” flooding and landslides.
With maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (193 km/h), the storm made landfall south-southwest of the city of Marquelia in Guerrero state around 9:15 p.m. local time, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Just a day ago, the storm was moving at 35 mph, but it experienced two rapid intensifications in a 24-hour period, increasing its speed more than threefold.
“These heavy rains will likely cause significant and possibly catastrophic life-threatening flash flooding and landslides across the Mexican states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and southeastern Guerrero, particularly in areas near the coast,” the center said.
The state of Oaxaca is a popular tourist spot known for its beautiful landscapes and beaches.
Oaxaca’s governor said the state government had evacuated 3,000 people and set up 80 shelters, while authorities suspended classes in several coastal areas on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
Businesses in Puerto Escondido, a tourist destination in the south of the state, closed after authorities ordered the suspension of all work on the area’s main beaches, the news agency reported.
Ana Aldai, who works at a restaurant there, told AP she was “a little distressed” because the notice from authorities came so quickly.
“There was no opportunity to make the necessary purchases,” he said.
Torrential rains of 25 to 50 centimeters, with isolated totals approaching 75 centimeters, could hit areas along the coast of Oaxaca to southeastern Guerrero through Thursday.
Coastal areas of Chiapas are also expected to be affected by rainfall of between 15 and 30 centimeters, with isolated totals of around 38 centimeters, during the same period.
The rains could trigger a life-threatening storm surge, resulting in significant coastal flooding near the landfall site, the National Hurricane Center said.
The surge will be accompanied by large, destructive waves in coastal areas, he added.
