Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Formed | September 13, 2017 |
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Dissipated | September 15, 2017 |
Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 90 mph (150 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 980 mbar (hPa); 28.94 inHg |
Fatalities | 1 direct, 1 missing |
Damage | $13 million (2017 USD) |
Areas affected | Southern Mexico |
Part of the 2017 Pacific hurricane season |
Hurricane Max was a short-lived Category 1 hurricane that made landfall in southwestern Mexico, causing minor damage. The sixteenth tropical cyclone, thirteenth named storm, and eighth hurricane of the 2017 Pacific hurricane season, Max developed from a trough of low pressure near the southwestern coast of Mexico on September 13. The storm tracked northeastward under the influence of a mid-level ridge and rapidly strengthened as a result of warm ocean temperatures in its path. Max strengthened into a hurricane on September 14 and peaked as a high-end Category 1 hurricane shortly before making landfall in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Rapid weakening ensued as Max moved over the mountainous terrain of Mexico, and it weakened below hurricane strength early on September 15. At 12:00 UTC that day, Max dissipated over the mountains of southern Mexico.
The Government of Mexico issued numerous tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings in anticipation of Max's arrival. Due to the small size of the cyclone, effects were relatively localized and confined to a small area. Regardless, large waves, flooding, mudslides, and sinkholes caused by Max caused moderate damage in the state of Guerrero. Over 1,500 residences suffered flood damage, and numerous roads across the state, including Mexican Federal Highway 200, were closed to do landslides and sinkholes. One death was associated with Max, with another declared missing.