In a relentless onslaught, Tropical Depression John unleashed a torrent of nearly 100 cm (39 inches) of rain on Mexico's southern state of Guerrero, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The remnants of the storm, which had weakened from a tropical storm to a depression, caused havoc as it hovered over the Pacific coast, inundating homes, businesses, roads, and vehicles in Guerrero and Michoacan.
Authorities reported that the four days of continuous rainfall surpassed the devastation caused by last year's Hurricane Otis, with waters rising dramatically and causing significant damage. Social media posts were flooded with images of the widespread destruction, highlighting the severity of the flooding and mudslides brought on by the relentless downpour.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued urgent warnings of "catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides" in southern and southwestern Mexico, as the slow-moving storm continued to saturate the region. Alejandra Mendez, the head of Mexico's national meteorological service, revealed that John had dumped over 95 cm (37 inches) of rain on Guerrero, far exceeding Otis's rainfall of 35 cm (14 inches).
Resilient residents like Vianey Reyes shared their struggles as they battled the rising waters, expressing their shock at the unending deluge that had engulfed their communities. Meanwhile, in Michoacan, overflowing rivers added to the chaos, causing widespread flooding and damage in multiple areas.
As Tropical Depression John crept westward, lingering near Lazaro Cardenas, the implications of the storm's slow movement became increasingly dire. The phenomenon of a "zombie" storm, where John oscillated between a tropical storm and hurricane, was unprecedented, intensifying the impact on the coast. The region braced itself for further devastation as the remnants of John continued to release their deluge on the already waterlogged landscape.