Rescue Effort
Police and other rescuers ferry hurricane victims to safety in Acapulco, Mexico (map) on September 18—a common scene across Mexico this week. The country has been hit by not one, but two hurricanes in recent days.
Hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel made landfall on opposite coasts within a day of each other. (Related:"Scientists: Climate Change May Offer Hurricane Help.")
Manuel made landfall on September 15, as a tropical storm, initially killing at least 14 people, according to news reports. After bumping along up the coast, the storm gained strength and became Hurricane Manuel on September 18. (Related: "GPS Reveals Hurricane Wind Speeds.")
Hurricane Ingrid made landfall early September 16 near La Pesca, Mexico (map) on the country's east coast. The death toll currently stands at 80 for both hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel, with more storms forecast for later this week.
"To say exactly how rare this is would require some analysis of the historical data, but I'm sure it's safe to say that it's quite rare to have two hurricanes affecting land so close in location and time," James Kossin, an atmospheric scientist with the U.S. National Climatic Data Center, said by email.
—Jane J. Lee
Pictures: Mexico Hurricanes Pack a Rare Double Whammy
Rare back-to-back hurricanes, Ingrid and Manuel, have caused widespread flooding and landslides, killing over a dozen people.
