Hurricane Erick Hits Southern Mexico as a Category 3 Storm…
Hurricane Erick made landfall early Thursday in Mexico’s southern state of Oaxaca as a Category 3 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The storm’s center was positioned about 20 miles east of Punta Maldonado, with sustained winds reaching 125 mph, and it was advancing northwest at 9 mph.
Although Erick was downgraded from a Category 4 to a Category 3 before hitting land, it remained a dangerous hurricane, with Category 3 storms capable of producing winds up to 129 mph.
The hurricane swept through a relatively remote coastal area between the tourist destinations of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido, near the border between Oaxaca and Guerrero states. The region features low-lying farmland and small fishing communities.
Forecasters said Erick would quickly lose strength as it moved inland over the rugged coastal mountains and was expected to weaken significantly or dissipate by late Thursday or early Friday.
Despite the downgrade, Erick posed serious threats, including damaging winds near the storm’s core, flash flooding, and a perilous storm surge.
On Thursday morning, Acapulco experienced dark skies but remained dry with only small waves on the beach. However, the storm was projected to move northwest just inland along the coast by midday, bringing heavy rainfall to the area and the surrounding mountains.
Initial forecasts had shown Erick tracking closer to Acapulco, but by late Wednesday, its path shifted slightly south toward Puerto Escondido. In response, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a halt to all activities in the region and advised residents in low-lying areas to seek shelter.
By evening, waves were pounding Puerto Escondido’s esplanade, flooding fishing boats pulled ashore for protection. Rising tides reached into beachfront restaurants, and shops closed as residents prepared for the storm.
Earlier that day, local fishermen secured their boats, while surfers braved the waves at Zicatela beach despite warning flags urging people to stay out of the water.
The people of Acapulco, still haunted by the destruction caused by Hurricane Otis in 2023, took extra precautions. Otis, a Category 5 hurricane, struck with little warning, killing at least 52 people and severely damaging most of the city’s hotels.
Laura Velázquez, Mexico’s national civil defense coordinator, warned that Hurricane Erick could bring intense rainfall to the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. The region’s mountainous terrain and rivers make it especially vulnerable to landslides and flooding.
