Hurricane Barbara: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

sized storm

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

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

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

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


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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.

There also seems to be some worry that the hurricane will directly hit one of Mexico’s largest oil refineries.


5. A Lot of Rain is Expected

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.