Potential Tropical Cyclone Seventeen-E

A tropical storm watch was issued at 03:00 UTC on October 16 for the southern coast of Mexico, from Barra de Tonala to Puerto Escondido, since Seventeen-E was forecast to become a tropical storm before moving ashore.[1] Seventeen-E produced torrential rainfall along the southern coast of Mexico, particularly in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. A peak rainfall value of 445 mm (17.5 in) was recorded at km 51+740 in Oaxaca. Morro Mazatán experienced 401.4 mm (15.80 in) of rain and 278 mm (10.9 in) fell in Unión Hidalgo. Heavy rainfall also occurred in the states of Chipas and Guerrero, with up to 70 mm (2.8 in) occurring in the former and 125 mm (4.9 in) in the latter.[7] Classes were canceled in Oaxaca on October 16 while the storm was making landfall.[8] The Unión Hidalgo municipal government asked the federal government to make a disaster declaration for the region. The Unión Hidalgo-Juchitán highway was severely damaged by the storm.[9]

In Juchitán de Zaragoza, at least 100 homes, as well as schools, public buildings, and a library were inundated with water up to 500 mm (20 in) deep, exacerbating damage from the 2017 earthquake.[9] Seawater flooded palapas and streets in Playa Vicente.[10] The Río de los Perros rose to a level of 4.7 m (15 ft) and spilled its banks in multiple sections.[11] A school was closed in the city as a result of the swollen river and flooding.[12] Near the source of the river, in the Sierra Mix-Zapoteca neighborhood, water overtopped a bridge. River currents dragged garbage and tree branches downstream, forming a dam at the bridge; the river overflowed and flooded two streets. Police closed the bridge and the flooded streets. The river also overflowed in Juchitán's 8th section, with floodwaters submerging streets.[11]

The communities of Barrio de La Soledad, Santa María, and Santo Domingo Tehuantepec were cut off after the Chapala River spilled its banks. Floodwaters topped three bridges leading to Barrio de La Soledad. The 99th Infantry Battalion of the Mexican Army was called in to assist people affected by the storm. Floodwaters inundated homes in Santo Domingo Tehuantepec and forced the closure of Highway 200 near Morro Mazatlán. In Guelaguichi, floodwaters isolated the community and damaged homes in one neighborhood. Drainage systems collapsed in Ciudad Ixtepec, allowing water to enter homes.[13][14][15] A sewage canal overflowed in El Pitayal, damaging the homes of 50 families. Floodwaters up to 500 mm (20 in) inundated homes in the Lieza neighborhood. Multiple power outages were reported in the Santiago Astata and San Pedro Huamelula communities.[13][15] Floodwaters also inundated homes in Rincón Moreno.[13][15] Plan DN-III-E, a disaster relief and rescue plan, was activated in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Tabasco after the passage of Seventeen-E.[16][13][15]

A river overflowed in Ometepec, Guerrero, sending floodwaters into the community of Talapa. A highway connecting the Ometepec and Igualapa municipalities was damaged and several streets were flooded. A vehicle was partially submerged in water; it was unknown whether people were inside it.[17]

The disturbance produced torrential rainfall over multiple countries in Central America. In El Salvador, a 24-hour rainfall total of 102.4 mm (4.03 in) was reported in San Vicente. Totals of 91.6 mm (3.61 in) and 91 mm (3.6 in) occurred in Ahuachapán and La Libertad, respectively, for the same time period.[18] At least six people were killed in El Salvador.[1][19][20] In San Marcos, a 28-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were killed after their house was buried. Likewise, a 68-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman died in Chiltiupán after a landside buried their house. A 61-year-old fisherman and another person were killed after being swept away by river currents.[19][20][21] One person was reported missing in the country.[22] Heavy rainfall forced the evacuation of at least 1,850 people to 17 shelters.[19][20] A landslide in Mejicanos buried three homes; however, no fatalities occurred there. The Las Cañas river overflowed in Apopa, trapping a cargo truck, but the driver managed to escape.[23] In Ilopango, one of the evacuated areas, at least 250 families were threatened by a 70 m (230 ft) deep gully. Over a hundred homes were flooded in the villages of La Cañada, El Icaco, and El Limón. At least 118 schools sustained damage, with 20 experiencing severe damage;[18] classes were canceled for five days.[19][20]

The rainfall prompted authorities to issue orange alerts for municipalities near the Salvadorian coast and yellow alerts for others.[19][20] After the storm, a green alert was issued at the national level.[24] Authorities worked to clear 135 landslides and 58 felled trees, moving over 4,000 m³ (140,000 cu ft) of debris. At least 19 sections of road were damaged by the landslides. Bean crops sustained damage throughout the country, with 183,060 quintals or 10 percent of the seasonal production having been destroyed.[21]

In Guatemala, a peak rainfall total of 150 mm (5.9 in) was reported in Puerto de San José, and 133 mm (5.2 in) occurred in Flores, Petén.[25] Throughout the nation, 1 person was killed,[26] 2 people were wounded, and 216 people were evacuated. At least 302 houses had moderate damage and 2 were severely damaged. Multiple regions in the country were left without power.[25] Villa Nueva was placed on alert after heavy rainfall caused a significant increase in the height of the Villalobos River. Several trees were felled and several landslides occurred in the area. Over 400 schools were closed nationwide during the storm.[27] Quetzaltenango and Sacatepéquez experienced downed trees and flooding. Floodwaters impeded traffic in Guatemala City and inundated areas in Chimaltenango.[28] A three-car accident occurred in Ciudad de Plata, with one vehicle damaging an under construction metro line stop. Winds felled a tree near San Lucas Sacatepéquez, causing it to damage a dining room at a hotel, killing one person and injuring two more.[29]

The streets of several other towns were flooded, including Palajunoj, El Tejar, San Cristóbal, Villalobos, Escuintla, and Amatitlán. Municipal employees worked to remove a tree that fell on a residence in Mixco. A family was evacuated from their home after a wall partially collapsed. A landslide blocked two streets in the town. Rockslides and fallen trees impeded traffic in multiple locations along the Inter-American route. In Peronia City, 27 people were evacuated after rainfall damaged three homes; the structures were at risk of falling into a ravine. A landslide damaged a home in Bosques de San Lucas Sacatepéquez. An orange alert was issued for Puerto San José as a result of flooding.[25] At least 13 departments were placed under yellow alerts and Escuintla was placed under an orange alert.[29] Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales stated that the country had readied 127.9 metric tons (141 US tons) of emergency supplies. The town of Nueva Concepción received emergency aid after the storm.[25]