Pictures: Mexico Hurricanes Pack a Rare Double Whammy

Rescue Effort
Photograph by Pedro Mera, Xinhua Press/Corbis
Police and other rescuers ferry hurricane victims to safety in Acapulco, Mexico (map) on September 18—a common scene across Mexico this week. The country has been hit by not one, but two hurricanes in recent days.
Hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel made landfall on opposite coasts within a day of each other. (Related:"Scientists: Climate Change May Offer Hurricane Help.")
Manuel made landfall on September 15, as a tropical storm, initially killing at least 14 people, according to news reports. After bumping along up the coast, the storm gained strength and became Hurricane Manuel on September 18. (Related: "GPS Reveals Hurricane Wind Speeds.")
Hurricane Ingrid made landfall early September 16 near La Pesca, Mexico (map) on the country's east coast. The death toll currently stands at 80 for both hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel, with more storms forecast for later this week.
"To say exactly how rare this is would require some analysis of the historical data, but I'm sure it's safe to say that it's quite rare to have two hurricanes affecting land so close in location and time," James Kossin, an atmospheric scientist with the U.S. National Climatic Data Center, said by email.
—Jane J. Lee
Published September 19, 2013
Raging River
Photograph by Alejandrino Gonzalez, AP
Tropical storm Manuel dumped torrential rains on the state of Guerrero (map), on Mexico's Pacific coast, earlier this week. Swollen rivers spewed floodwaters into towns like Chilpancingo (pictured) on Monday.
Once a storm starts interacting with land, it's more common for it to weaken, rather than intensify, as Manuel has, said Kossin.
"In Manuel's case, the shape of the coastline relative to [the storm's] track allowed it to actually move away from land as it moved north. This is due to the eastward jog of the coastline around Puerto Vallarta," he explained.
"Manuel was apparently far enough from the negative effects of land, and in a good enough environment, to intensify."
Published September 19, 2013
Free-For-All
Photograph by Ronaldo Schemidt, AFP/Getty Images
Looters clear out a grocery store in Acapulco, Mexico, on September 17 as tropical storm Manuel drenched the region. Heavy rains caused floods and landslides in several Mexican states.
Published September 19, 2013
Watery Destruction
Photograph by Jorge Luis Plata, Reuters
Torrential downpours resulted in floods, triggered landslides, and decimated homes (pictured) in the Mexican state of Oaxaca (map).
Published September 19, 2013
Searching For Survivors
Photograph from AFP/Getty Images
Soldiers and police search for any survivors of a landslide on September 16 in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Heavy rains from Hurricane Ingrid also damaged bridges and roads.
Published September 19, 2013
Collapse
Photograph by Francisca Meza, European Pressphoto Agency
Washed out roads and collapsed bridges (pictured September 18) in the state of Guerrero have wreaked havoc with rescue attempts. Damaged highways have cut off tourist city Acapulco from the rest of the country.
About 10,000 tourists were flown out by Wednesday night, leaving an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 waiting to be evacuated, according to news reports.
Published September 19, 2013
Aftermath
Photograph by Jacobo Garcia, Reuters
A boy stands amongst the wreckage of a house, which collapsed during a landslide in Acapulco on September 15.
Published September 19, 2013
Muddy Wreckage
Photograph by Oscar Martinez, Reuters
Two men survey the wreckage of a house inundated with mud in the city of Altotonga, on the Gulf side of Mexico, in the state of Veracruz. Pounding rains from Hurricane Ingrid have left a soggy, muddy mess in several states across Mexico. (Related: "Improved Forecasting Wi ll Help Track Hurricane Season.")
Published September 19, 2013
Engulfed
Photograph by Bernandino Hernandez, AP
A small chapel on the outskirts of Acapulco, Mexico, lies entombed in mud and rocks on September 16.
Published September 19, 2013
Cut Off
Photograph by Bernandino Hernandez, AP
A man with a jackhammer attempts to break apart a boulder blocking a road on the outskirts of Acapulco on September 16.
Landslides triggered by "biblical" rains from Manuel have resulted in damaged roads and highways.
Published September 19, 2013
Waiting
Photograph by Eduardo Verdugo, AP
People wait near a collapsed bridge for a boat to take them and their belongings across the Papagayos River, south of Acapulco, on September 18.
Published September 19, 2013
Out to Dry
Photograph by Tomas Bravo, Reuters
Pictures and religious figurines dry out on the trunk of a car in the flooded beach resort town of Acapulco, Mexico, in Manuel's aftermath on September 18.
Published September 19, 2013

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8 comments

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Valeria M.

What a terrible tragedy. I have family in Acapulco. They are in my prayers.

Ricardo Quiñónez Alemán

Estos son los centros de acopio canal 44, Tv azteca Juarez, radiodifusoras, pueden dar donaciones de $20.00 al tel 1900-84-90-020

These are the collection centers Channel 44, TV Aztec Juarez, broadcasters, you can give donations of $ 20.00 by telephone 1900-84-90-020

there is a so much in need of everything!! food, medicines, grains, water, cloths, shelters, vaccines, etc.... Please help from a distance!! your help is a big help. your help can save live's!!!

thank you!!

Tanda Tanya

must be patient

allah in your side

Roiikka-Ta P Globetrotter

uncalled for .

Renegator Amargator

This the first time Mother Nature sends Mexico a double warning hit. We must realize climate change is FOR REAL.

Cas Cadia

This is the newest example of a climate and Earth system out of balance. If you feel the need to explore the spiritual dimension of this imbalance, I recommend you read the book "The Great Waves of Change" by MV Summers. http://www.greatwavesofchange.org