By Jose Cortes

PUERTO ESCONDIDO (Mexico) – At least three deaths and five more reported missing Tuesday following the record breaking storm Agatha that battered southern Mexico. Local authorities confirmed this Tuesday.

Aldis Lopez (21), and Mario Cruz (18) were among the first victims of the hurricane in Santa Catarina Xanaguia, the most severely affected state in Oaxaca.

Axel Martinez spoke for Oaxaca’s civil defense agency and said that they were “buried between rocks & mud”.

A third victim was confirmed by the civil protection agency in San Mateo Pinas. This woman had become trapped in a landslide.

The state’s security secretary reported that five others had been reported missing.

Agatha was a Category 2 Hurricane that made landfall Monday afternoon. It reached its maximum speed of 105 miles per hour (169 km/hr) close to Puerto Angel, on the Pacific Coast. As it moved inshore, however, it lost strength.

Agatha was a tropical storm by Tuesday morning with winds up to 30 mph (45 km/h). The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of flash floods and mudslides that could threaten Oaxaca.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the Mexican president, said in a press conference that he will meet with security officials and authorities to keep an eye on the situation.

On Twitter, Mexico’s National Water Commission CONAGUA stated that waves between 1 and 3 meters would hit Oaxaca coasts and Chiapas at the same time.

According to local authorities, rain made mud and stones slide onto two Oaxaca highways. This blocked access to at least one state area. Mexico’s transportation ministry continued to work through the night Monday clearing the roads.

Officials stated that Oaxaca saw some towns without power. One transformer also exploded. Authorities were forced to use radio communications after telephone lines went down Monday.

Agatha was the strongest tropical storm to strike Mexico’s Pacific coast. She is forecast to bring down a total 10-16 inches (25-41cm) of rain to Oaxaca. There will also be heavy rains in Tabasco, Chiapas and Tabasco.