Storms deliver double punch on Mexico, leaving at least 40 dead

At least 40 people died following a double-punch hurricane and tropical storm that slammed into both Mexico’s Gulf and Pacific coasts, causing flash floods and landslides and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

A weakened Hurricane Ingrid packed sustained winds of up to 35km/h as it made shore Monday in Veracruz while Tropical Storm Manuel punished the Pacific coast on Sunday by dumping close to two meters of heavy rain in and around the popular resort of Acapulco, Guerrero state.

At least 21 deaths, most due to landslides, were reported across Guerrero.

Some 4,000 people, including around 250 tourists, sought refuge at Acapulco’s convention center to escape the havoc wrecked by Manuel. Flights were canceled after the city’s airport was closed as water levels reached nearly two meters near the facility, authorities said.

Manuel also dumped heavy rains in Puebla, Hidalgo, Michoacán and Oaxaca states as it weakened.

In Veracruz on the Gulf Coast, at least a dozen died on Monday after a mountain mudslide buried the bus in which they were traveling.

Ingrid had weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical depression by the time it came ashore but its winds and accompanying rain were enough to cause considerable damage across the state. Streets and bridges were also destroyed and schools remained closed on Tuesday.

President Enrique Peña Nieto was expected to tour the disaster areas later Tuesday.