Eyewall replacement cycles and land interaction with western Mexico weakened the hurricane, and John made landfall on southeastern Baja California Sur with winds of 110 mph (180 km/h) on September 1.

The hurricane threatened large portions of the western coastline of Mexico, resulting in the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.

In coastal portions of western Mexico, strong winds downed trees, while heavy rain resulted in mudslides.

Hurricane John caused moderate damage on the Baja California peninsula, including the destruction of more than 200 houses and thousands of flimsy shacks.

[10] The storm continued to intensify, and John attained hurricane status on August 29 while 190 miles (310 km) south-southeast of Acapulco.

Banding features continued to increase as the hurricane moved west-northwestward around the southwest periphery of a mid- to upper-level ridge over northern Mexico.

[14] Hours later, the hurricane underwent another eyewall replacement cycle,[15] and subsequently weakened to Category 3 status as it paralleled the Mexican coastline a short distance offshore.

[17] After completing another eyewall replacement cycle, the hurricane again weakened to Category 2 status,[18] and on September 1, it made landfall on Cabo del Este on the southern tip of Baja California Sur, with winds of 110 mph (180 km/h).

[23] Government officials in the state of Jalisco declared a mandatory evacuation for 8,000 citizens in low-lying areas to 900 temporary shelters.

[28] On September 4, the United States' National Weather Service issued flood watches and warnings for portions of Texas and the southern two-thirds of New Mexico.

[1] In addition, John caused heavy rainfall along the western coast of Mexico, peaking at 12.5 inches (320 mm) in Los Planes, Jalisco.

[31] Heavy rainfall totaling more than 20 inches (510 mm) in isolated areas[29] resulted in ankle-deep flooding, closing many roads in addition to the airport in La Paz.

[34] In the coastal city of Mulegé, flash flooding caused widespread damage throughout the town and the death of a United States citizen.

[37] In Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, across the U.S. border from El Paso, Texas, rainfall from the storm's remnants flooded 20 neighborhoods, downed power lines, and resulted in several traffic accidents.

[40] A slick runway at El Paso International Airport delayed a Continental Airlines jet when its tires were stuck in mud.

[42] In northern Texas, the rainfall alleviated a severe drought,[28] caused the Double Mountain Fork Brazos River to swell and Lake Alan Henry to overflow.

[43] The Texas Department of Transportation closed numerous roads due to flooding from the precipitation, including a portion of U.S. Route 385 near Levelland.

[49] In the city of Mulegé, gas supply, which was necessary to run generators, was low, drinking water was gone, and the airstrip was covered with mud.