MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Trudy has strengthened to a Category 2 storm as it approaches the southwestern and west-central coast of Mexico. The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that as of Saturday, the hurricane had maximum sustained winds reaching 100 mph (155 kph) and was located approximately 175 miles (280 kilometers) south of Cabo Corrientes in Jalisco state, and 100 miles (160 kilometers) south-southwest of Manzanillo. The storm is moving northwest at a speed of 10 mph (17 kph).
A hurricane warning has been issued for areas from Manzanillo in Colima state to Cabo Corrientes in Jalisco. In addition, following the latest updates, Mexico’s government has put a tropical storm warning into effect for Las Islas Marias, while discontinuing a similar warning for the coast south of Lazaro Cardenas. The Mexican navy has advised mariners and coastal residents to take extreme precautions due to high waves, heavy rainfall, and the risk of rising rivers, flooding, and landslides in susceptible regions.
Colima authorities have stated that while the overall risks appear to be low, there is concern that heavy rainfall could result in damage to infrastructure, as the ground has already been saturated by consecutive storms affecting the Pacific coast. Hurricane Trudy is projected to deliver between 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain through the weekend, with some isolated areas potentially receiving totals of around 15 inches (38 centimeters).
Meanwhile, Typhoon Champi has reached the status of a Category 4 Super Typhoon as it moves northwestward past Guam. As of 1 a.m. GMT on Saturday, the storm was recorded to have maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) and was situated 95 miles (153 kilometers) west-southwest of Guam, moving at a speed of 16 mph (26 kph). It is anticipated to pass south of Guam early on Sunday local time and is expected to continue strengthening throughout the day.
Both Guam and Rota are currently under a typhoon warning, while Tinian and Saipan are under a tropical storm warning along with a typhoon watch. In response to the developing situation, the governors of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands had requested emergency disaster declarations on Friday.
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Guam, enabling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all federal disaster relief operations. FEMA has announced that federal disaster assistance is available for Guam to aid local response efforts in the wake of Typhoon Champi.
Airports, harbors, and several health facilities within the territories have been closed as a precautionary measure. Updates from FEMA indicate that it may take three to five days for resources to be delivered to the islands. These territories are still in recovery mode from Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, which impacted the region in April and July, respectively.
