Home / Weather / Hurricane Karina Forms in Pacific, Threatens Coastal Swells
Hurricane Karina Forms in Pacific, Threatens Coastal Swells
31 Aug
Summary
- Hurricane Karina intensified with 80 mph winds in the Pacific.
- A fatal flash flood occurred at the Grand Canyon, leaving 15 missing.
- Dangerous surf expected along Mexico's coast from Karina's swells.
Tropical Storm Karina has strengthened into a hurricane in the central Pacific Ocean. The storm, located approximately 820 miles southwest of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, now has maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour. While Karina is forecast to remain at sea and not threaten land directly, its generated swells are anticipated to cause dangerous surf and rip current conditions along portions of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula.
In a separate incident, a major flash flood at the Grand Canyon has led to one fatality and approximately 15 people missing or unaccounted for as of Sunday. The powerful floodwaters, which surged through Bright Angel Creek, forced the evacuation of over 60 individuals and damaged the sole water pipeline serving the area. Search efforts are ongoing for those still unaccounted for, with officials confirming the recovery of one deceased individual near Crystal Rapids.
