Two people have already been confirmed dead on Mexico’s Pacific coast as the Topical Storm Barbara makes its way over land. The latest update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center reads:
…EYE OF HURRICANE BARBARA MAKES LANDFALL ON THE COAST OF MEXICO…
SATELLITE IMAGES AND MEXICAN RADAR IMAGES FROM EL MOZOTAL INDICATE
THAT BARBARA MADE LANDFALL ON THE COAST OF MEXICO IN THE STATE OF
CHIAPAS AT 1250 PM PDT…1950 UTC…ABOUT 20 MILES…35 KM….WEST
OF TONALA.
We will be updating as the day continues.Here is what you need to know.
1. BREAKING: There appear to be two causalities
Two deaths reported as hurricane #Barbara hits Oaxaca, including one US citizen. Schools were cancelled and business are closed.
— Mexico Daily Review (@MexicoDaily) May 29, 2013
@jorgemoralesoax: Confirma el dir d Protección Civil #Oaxaca Manuel Maza la muerte d 2 personas en Pinotepa y #SalinaCruz x huracán #Barbara
— oaxacatouch (@oaxacatouch) May 29, 2013
Tweets and messages are starting to emerge from the affected regions of Mexico that there may be up to two causalities from Hurricane Barbara. According to the Mexico Daily Review’s twitter account, one of the casualties is an American citizen.
2.Radar Shows it Might Turn Toward U.S. After Mexico
via @AereoMeteo: Huracán #Barbara moviéndose tierra adentro en Chiapas, Mexico pic.twitter.com/Ba3FrtQENo
— @CLIMAMERIDA (@CLIMAMERIDA) May 29, 2013
Looking at the newest radar projections for the direction and size of the storm it looks as if Barbara will loose strength over land. However, as it reaches the Gulf of Mexico, it is likely the hurricane will gain power and turn toward the United States.
3. It Just Got Re-classified From Tropical Storm to Hurricane
HU #Barbara CAT1 "Ahora sí entro a tierra en el Sur de México. El ojo ha colapsado. Infrarrojo http://t.co/OtDTMXGc8B via @Eyestorm_Eric
— Clima Venezuela (@climavzla) May 29, 2013
A tropical storm differs from a hurricane in power and wind speed. Currently, Barbara’s wind speed was around 45mph, short of the 56 mph needed to be classified as a hurricane. However, the U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded Barbara to Hurricane status due to wind speed increases as the storm approached land. As of 3:20 p.m., the U.S. National Hurricane Center is recording winds at around 75mph as the hurricane hits land. Above is the most recent satellite image from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as of 5 p.m.
4. It Made Landfall in South-West Mexico
At just around 4:15pm Hurricane Barbara officially hit land on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is currently being classified as a Category 1 (the lowest level of hurricane) and its winds are recorded currently being recorded at 75 mph.
#BREAKING:#Barbara makes landfall on the coast of Mexico as Cat 1 #hurricane; 75mph winds @WCL_Shawn
— Channel 1 Atlanta (@channel1atlanta) May 29, 2013
There also seems to be some worry that the hurricane will directly hit one of Mexico’s largest oil refineries.
#hurricane #Barbaraexpected to make land fall near Salina Cruz, home to Mexico’s largest oil refinery.
— Darryl duPont (@duPontTV) May 29, 2013
5. A Lot of Rain is Expected
Intensa lluvia en #Putla. Estaremos dando información #AlAire por el Huracán #Barbara. pic.twitter.com/u8ZtjxCuq8
— Tprende Radio (@Tprende) May 29, 2013
According to most estimates, some regions of South-Eastern Mexico may get an excess of ten inches in rain. This projected amount of rain has put the nation on alert for flash floods and mudslides as the water accumulates.