Along Mexico's Pacific coast, flooding from Hurricane John left devastated towns and 17 dead

COYUCA DE BENITEZ, Mexico (AP) — Along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, floodwaters receded Monday, leaving behind devastated towns and 17 dead, after John struck the coast once as a hurricane and again as tropical storm last week.

Desperate residents in the town of Coyuca de Benitez, about 35 miles west of the resort city of Acapulco, organized volunteers to go to outlying areas to burn the bloated bodies of farm animals that drowned.

The carcasses could become a health risk, so teams of townspeople set out with cans of diesel to help them in their grim work.

The Mexican army began delivering aid packages to families in the town that were hit last year by Hurricane Otis and then last week — twice — by John.

Some are becoming so tired of the repeated hurricane impacts every year they have almost given up.

“I don't want to buy anything anymore, if this is going to continue happening every year,” said Yahaira García Marín, 32, as she began to clear out her shattered house in Coyuca de Benitez. Around her, little was left except the shoulder-high brown marks on the wall showing where the water reached.

García Marín had to flee in the night last week with her 80-year-old grandmother. “It was terrible, we had to grab what little we had and get out,” she recalled.

Outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador — whose last day in office was Monday — has not visited the disaster zone, but he confirmed Sunday that 15 people had died. Two more people were reported dead by authorities in the state of Oaxaca, which borders Guerrero to the east.

Officials in Guerrero state, where both Coyuca and Acapulco are located, said more than 3 feet of rain (95 centimeters) had fallen in the region between Sept. 23 when John made landfall to the east of Acapulco as a Category 3 hurricane, and Friday, when the rejuvenated Tropical Storm John came ashore again to the west of Coyuca.

That meant the era got the equivalent of about 80% of the rain it would normally expect to see in a year, in just four or five days.

The rain also set off landslides that collapsed houses and blocked roads in the mountainous terrain behind the coast.

A volunteer inspects the damage in Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero state, Mexico, after Hurricane John passed through, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

A man pushes a wheelbarrow through a damaged street after Hurricane John passed through Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Mexican Air Force officers pack food for victims of Hurricane John, which hit the state of Guerrero, in Mexico City, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Yahaira Garcia, 32, cleans her damaged house after Hurricane John passed through Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

An uprooted palm tree withers near what used to be a road before before Hurricane John passed through Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents line up to receive food delivered by the Army after Hurricane John passed through Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero Mexico, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

A man burns a dead horse after Hurricane John passed through Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

A house lies damaged after the impact of Hurricane John, in Pie de la Cuesta, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

A vehicle lies damaged after Hurricane John passed through Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents walk past a house damaged by Hurricane John in Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Roman Josi scored a goal and added two assists to lead the Nashville Predators to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday night.

Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist, Cole Smith also scored, and Justus Annunen made 28 saves for the Predators, winners of two of three.

Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist, Ethen Frank also scored, and Charlie Lindgren made 18 saves for Washington, losers of two of three.

Annunen, who earlier in the week signed a two-year extension with the Predators, has won three consecutive decisions.

Ovechkin scored the game’s first goal at 5:56 of the opening period.

With the Capitals on a two-man advantage, John Carlson sent a pass to Ovechkin at the left faceoff dot, where he beat Annunen with a one-timer for his 20th of the season, the 21st consecutive season he’s scored at least 20.

Entering Sunday, neither team had not scored on the power play in their previous four games, but both connected twice on the man-advantage.

Stamkos tied the game 1-1 at 13:15 of the first, also on the power play.

The goal was the 601st of Stamkos’ career, third among active players, trailing just Ovechkin, with an NHL-record 917, and Sidney Crosby (649).

Smith gave Nashville a 2-1 lead at 1:12 of the third, beating Lindgren high to the stick side from the low slot.

Josi followed at 3:29 of the third, connecting on a one-timer from the top of the right circle with the Predators on a 5-on-3 of their own.

Frank closed the Washington deficit to one at 9:03 of the third, also on a power play.

Capitals forward Justin Sourdif was struck in the face by a puck early in the second period and did not return.

Capitals host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.

Predators host the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waits for the puck to be dropped during a face-off in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, right, celebrates with Justin Sourdif (34) after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) is congratulated after scoring against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) flips over Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)