Two killed in Mexico as Hurricane John weakens to tropical storm [Video]

At least two people died after Hurricane John slammed into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast overnight, authorities reported Tuesday, with the cyclone since downgraded to a tropical storm and expected to weaken further.

Forecasters nevertheless warned of strong rains and flash floods inundating the coast for the next few days.

“Two people were reported dead due to a landslide in their home” in the southern city of Tlacoachistlahuaca, Evelyn Salgado, the governor of the Mexican state of Guerrero, told a press conference.

The US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of intense rainfall in coastal areas of southwest Mexico this week.

“This heavy rainfall will likely cause significant and possibly catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides” in the southern states of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero.

Authorities had warned residents to seek shelter as strong winds and rain battered beaches ahead of John making landfall near Marquelia in Guerrero.

The NHC said maximum …