Flooding, mudslides reported along Mexican coast as Tropical Storm Dalila slowly departs
A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds of between 39 and 73 mph – an upgrade from a tropical depression.
Dalila brushes past Mexico, tropical alerts in place
Tropical Storm warnings are in effect for much of Mexico's southwestern coast as Dalila moves through the Eastern Pacific. A second area of development on Dalila's tails, tagged as Invest 94E is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Dalila strengthened on Saturday as it made its closest approach to the Mexican coastline, producing heavy rainfall, rough surf and gusty winds south of Manzanillo.
The National Hurricane Center last reported that Dalila had maximum sustained winds of around 65 mph and was expected to weaken as both ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions become less favorable for tropical cyclones.
A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds of between 39 and 73 mph – a step above a tropical depression.
Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for several days along the southwestern coast of Mexico from south of Puerto Vallarta to Acapulco, as Dalila slowly churned about 135 miles off the coast.
Rainfall totals ranging from 3-6 inches, with localized amounts of up to 9 inches, were expected across portions of Mexican states such as Guerrero, Michoacan and Colima through Monday morning.
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The cyclone also generated life-threatening surf and rip current conditions for many beaches along the country's Pacific coast.
In Acapulco, mudslides and flooding were reported over the weekend.
Photos from the Secretariat of Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection showed workers trudging through floodwaters.
Another photo from the department showed a tree that had fallen onto a home in Acapulco.
Invest 94E forms in Eastern Pacific
The NHC is also watching a second area for tropical development in the Eastern Pacific due east of Dalila, off of southern Mexico and Central America.
Tagged as Invest94E on Saturday, the disturbance had a medium chance of developing over the next week.
Norcross said Invest 94E could possibly have implications for Acapulco.
"Early projections show a potential storm track just offshore of Acapulco toward the end of next week, though the forecast is quite uncertain," Norcross noted.
Wind gusts are expected to increase in strength over the coming days.
Warm water temperatures will help the chances of a tropical cyclone. If winds reach 40 mph, this system would be named Erick.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to Nov. 30.