Hurricane Erick slams Mexico's Pacific Coast as a powerful Cat 3 storm
Hurricane Erick, which rapidly intensified overnight, made landfall Thursday morning on Mexico's Pacific Coast as a powerful Category 3 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Erick came ashore in Mexico's western state of Oaxaca packing sustained winds of 125 mph and heavy rain, according to the NHC.
The hurricane was located on Thursday morning about 20 miles east of Punta Maldonado and was moving northwest at about 9 mph, according to the NHC.
Before making landfall, the Erick had spooled up to an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, but was downgraded to a Category 3 before making landfall, the NHC center reported.
Erick is the first Pacific Category 3 hurricane on record to make landfall over Mexico in June.
A hurricane warning remained in effect Thursday from Acapulco to Puerto Angel.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said the hurricane made landfall between 5 a.m. and a.m. local time in Pinotepa Nacional in the state of Oaxaca. She said prior to making landfall, Erick's heavy rain and strong wind caused damage mainly to the coast of Oaxaca and in the Costa Chica of Guerrero, an area along the south coast of the state of Guerrero.
Laura Velázquez, coordinator of the Mexico's National Disaster Agency, said there are 14 municipalities affected by rain and winds.
"We have a hospital where water has entered in Huatulco, a river overflow in Ciudad Ixtepec, nine road landslides, stranded vehicles, fallen trees and poles," Velázquez said.
There have been no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
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The major hurricane appeared to hit he coastline between the resort towns of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido in an area near the border of Oaxaca and Guerrero states, according to the NHC.
As it sweeps across the state of Oaxaca, Erick is expected to slam parts of the region with strong winds and heavy rain for most of Thursday before weakening over land by Friday.
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Erick will produce heavy rainfall up to 6 to 8 inches across southeastern Guerrero and west-coastal Oaxaca through Friday and likely trigger life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides -- especially in areas of steep terrain.
Erick formed as a tropical storm early Tuesday in the Pacific Ocean near southern Mexico and rapidly intensified, reaching hurricane strength by Wednesday, according to the NHC.
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CNN
4 hours ago
- CNN
Video: Erick makes landfall as Category 3 hurricane in Mexico
Hurricane Erick slammed into Mexico's Oaxaca state as a dangerous Category 3 storm Thursday morning, unleashing powerful winds along the coast and spreading heavy rain over the region.
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Mexico assessing damage from Hurricane Erick after storm killed 2
Residents and authorities in southern Mexico are assessing the damage and watching for rising rivers as rain from the remnants of Hurricane Erick doused the region. Landslides and flooding were an ongoing concern for officials after Erick – once a Category 4 hurricane — dissipated following landfall early Thursday. At least two deaths have been confirmed – a 1-year-old boy who drowned in a swollen river in Guerrero state and a man was electrocuted while helping with debris removal in Oaxaca state, officials said. An aerial view of the damage following Hurricane Erick in Chacahua, Oaxaca state, Mexico. CARLO ECHEGOYEN/AFP via Getty Images Erick came ashore down southern Mexico's Pacific coast Thursday morning as a Category 3 major hurricane. It landed between the resort cities of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido. Erick had strengthened to a Category 4 storm as it approached the coast, but weakened to a Category 2 storm before making landfall. Having doubled in strength in less than a day, Erick churned through an ideal environment for quick intensification. Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification — when a storm gains at least 55 kph (35 mph) in 24 hours — which is about twice the average and causes problems with forecasting, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Authorities reported landslides, blocked highways, downed power lines and some flooding as coastal residents, above all in Acapulco, took the storm seriously with memories of the devastating Hurricane Otis in 2023 still fresh in their minds. Erick wiped out power to more than 120,000 customers at one point. Locals look at damage after Hurricane Erick in Bahia Principal, Puerto Escondido, state of Oaxaca, Mexico. CARLO ECHEGOYEN/AFP via Getty Images "It was very strong, very ugly... the entire town is homeless, without clothes, we have no help," Francisca Avila, a 45-year-old housewife, told AFP, as she surveyed the loss of most of her belongings. In Puerto Escondido, fishermen searched for and inspected storm-tossed boats and residents cleared downed trees and other debris. Much of the town of about 30,000 people was left without electricity or cellphone coverage, AFP reported. The remnants of the storm dissipated Thursday night over the mountains in Michoacan state. Restaurants, shops and supermarkets gradually reopened in Acapulco, but schools remained closed across Guerrero on Friday as authorities continued to assess damage, clear debris and monitor rising rivers. "Many of us were frightened, but now it has passed," said Juan Carlos Castañeda, a 49-year-old security guard at an Acapulco condominium complex. He said the "tragedy of Otis marked all of us." Despite the rain, Castañeda decided to go out for a walk. A view of a structure destroyed by Hurricane Erick near Juchitan, Guerrero state, Mexico. FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP via Getty Images Down the coast in the fishing village of Barra Vieja, the wind-whipped surf battered the shore and heavy rain kept residents sheltered indoors. Perla Rosas, however, was among the few who ventured out, umbrella in hand, to get to her job at a convenience store. "I feel more relaxed now, so I decided to come to work." Erick is the first major hurricane of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which runs from May 15 to Nov. 30. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. contributed to this report.
CNN
5 hours ago
- CNN
Video: Erick makes landfall as Category 3 hurricane in Mexico
Hurricane Erick slammed into Mexico's Oaxaca state as a dangerous Category 3 storm Thursday morning, unleashing powerful winds along the coast and spreading heavy rain over the region.
