Latest news with #Conagua
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Child drowns in swollen river as Hurricane Erick makes landfall in southern Mexico
A one-year-old boy died and thousands of people were left without power after Hurricane Erick made landfall on Mexico 's southern Pacific coast early on Thursday, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain and a powerful storm surge. Authorities said the child slipped from his mother's arms and drowned in a swollen river in the municipality of San Marcos, Guerrero. The storm, which rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane before weakening slightly to Category 3 at landfall, struck between the resort cities of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido. It was the first hurricane to hit the country this season, which runs from May to November. The US National Hurricane Center said Erick was expected to bring 'potentially destructive winds and life-threatening flash flooding ' across southern Mexico. The hurricane made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 205kmph, according to Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, with gusts reaching 250kmph. By Thursday afternoon, Erick had weakened to a tropical depression but continued to dump heavy rain over Guerrero and Oaxaca states. The National Meteorological Service forecast rainfall of up to 41cm in some places and warned of flooding and landslides in mountainous regions. More than 18,000 emergency personnel had been deployed in preparation for the storm and over 500 temporary shelters activated. In Acapulco, officials suspended all public activity and urged residents in flood-prone zones to relocate. 'We ask the people of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas to remain calm, to take refuge in safe places. The people have reacted very well so far,' president Claudia Sheinbaum said in a video message. Acapulco, still recovering from the devastating impact of Hurricane Otis in October 2023, saw huge waves crash over the esplanade in Puerto Escondido and flood parts of the beach town's waterfront restaurants. 'We are all afraid because we think the same thing could happen,' shipping company employee Verónica Gómez, 40, said. 'Now it's not going to catch us by surprise,' she added, holding a bag of canned food and water. The port of Acapulco was closed Tuesday night ahead of the storm. Guerrero governor Evelyn Salgado announced that all movement in the region was suspended from 8pm and schools would remain closed on Thursday. Conagua warned that rainfall could trigger 'landslides and flooding in rivers and streams, as well as waves of six metres in height'. As of Thursday evening, cleanup was underway. Navy personnel were deployed to clear blocked roads and restore services. Power outages were reported in multiple areas but there were no other confirmed fatalities yet. The US National Hurricane Center noted that Erick's rapid intensification was part of a broader trend. In 2023, there were 34 such incidents, nearly double the long-term average. Erick is expected to fully dissipate over Mexico's mountainous interior by Friday. However, weather forecasters say heavy rain will continue to pose risks over the next 24 hours.
The Herald Scotland
19 hours ago
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Hurricane Erick expected to bring life threatening flooding landslides
A hurricane warning was in effect between the tourist enclaves of Acapulco and Puerto Angel. Scientists have warned that Erick could become the most intense hurricane along Mexico's Pacific coast this early in the season. Up to 16 inches of rain is expected to hit the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to the hurricane center. Threats to residents "Heavy rainfall will lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain," NHC warned, as local authorities asked residents to remain vigilant. Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, gave a similar warning, adding that waves in coastal areas were reaching up to 33 feet high. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara, in a post on X, urged residents to follow authorities' recommendations and said shelters were available for those in areas at risk. Mexican authorities have also been coordinating evacuation efforts for tourists in beach destinations, including Acapulco. (Reporting by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Anmol Choubey in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar; Editing by Toby Chopra and Bernadette Baum)
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
Hurricane Erick slams into Mexico's coast as Category 3 storm
Hurricane Erick has made landfall in Mexico's western state of Oaxaca, bringing with it the risk of 'life-threatening flooding and mudslides', the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) says. The powerful storm reached the coast of Mexico early on Thursday with its centre 30km (20 miles) east of Punta Maldonado, according to the NHC. In its latest bulletin, the NHC reported that Erick's maximum sustained winds as it hit the coast were 205 kilometres per hour (125 miles per hour), meaning it was downgraded from a Category 4 to a Category 3 hurricane. Erick, which is travelling to the northwest at a rate of 15km/h (9mph), is expected to move inland over southern Mexico throughout Thursday before weakening and dissipating by early Friday. Forecasters predicted it would unleash destructive winds, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge. A hurricane warning is in place for the entire coast between Acapulco and Puerto Angel. The NHC warned that Erick could unleash up to 40cm (16 inches) of rain on Oaxaca and Guerrero, which could lead to 'life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain'. The Mexican states of Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco could also be hit by up to 15cm (6 inches) of rainfall, the Miami-based centre added. Meanwhile, Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, said waves in coastal areas were up to 10 metres (33ft) high. Mexican authorities have scrambled to prepare residents and tourists before Erick's arrival. In a video message on Wednesday night, President Claudia Sheinbaum urged people to stay at home or move to shelters if they were in low-lying areas. About 2,000 temporary shelters have been set up in the states of Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca to house those who have to leave their homes. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said schools in her state would stay closed and fishing and tourism operators had been told to make their boats storm-ready. Residents in the Guerrero resort of Acapulco were among those steeling themselves for Erick's landfall. The city of almost one million people was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, which killed at least 52 people and destroyed many homes and businesses. Carlos Ozuna Romero, 51, lost his restaurant at the edge of an Acapulco beach in the 2023 hurricane. On Wednesday, he oversaw workers as they stored tables and chairs in preparation for the new storm. 'Authorities' warnings fill us with fear and obviously make us remember everything we've already been through,' he said. Elsewhere in the city, Veronica Gomez, a 40-year-old shipping company worker, suggested Acapulco was much better prepared this time. 'Now it's not going to catch us by surprise,' she said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Major Hurricane Erick hits Mexico's Pacific coast, life-threatening floods expected
By Aida Pelaez-Fernandez MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Hurricane Erick made landfall on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, on Thursday morning, authorities said, potentially bringing intense rains and life-threatening floods and mudslides. The storm made landfall around 5:30 am local time in the town of Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, in the state of Oaxaca, as a category 3 major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h and gusts of 250 km/h, Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, said. Scientists have warned that Erick, the first hurricane to make landfall in Mexico this hurricane season, could become the most intense hurricane along Mexico's Pacific coast this early in the season, which runs from May to November. Forecasters predict an above-average active season, with between eight and 11 hurricanes, and four to six of those reaching major hurricane status. The storm center is expected to move inland over southern Mexico throughout the day with winds that could be especially destructive near its core, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a report. Up to 16 inches (about 41 cm) of rain is expected to hit the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to NHC. Moving forward, "Erick is expected to rapidly weaken over the mountains of Mexico, and the system is likely to dissipate tonight or early Friday," the center added. THREATS TO RESIDENTS "Heavy rainfall will lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain," NHC warned, as local authorities asked residents to remain vigilant. Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Conagua gave a similar warning, adding that waves in coastal areas were reaching up to 10 meters (33 ft) high. Local media and videos shared on social networks showed flooded streets in some of the main tourist destinations along Mexico's Pacific coast, such as Huatulco. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara, in a post on X, urged residents to follow authorities' recommendations and said shelters were available for those in areas at risk. Mexican authorities have also been coordinating evacuation efforts for tourists in beach destinations, including Acapulco.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Major Hurricane Erick hits Mexico's Pacific coast
Hurricane Erick made landfall on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, authorities said, potentially bringing intense rains and life-threatening floods and mudslides. The storm made landfall around 5.30am local time on Thursday morning in the town of Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, in the state of Oaxaca, as a category 3 major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h and gusts of 250 km/h, Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, said. Scientists have warned that Erick, the first hurricane to make landfall in Mexico this hurricane season, could become the most intense hurricane along Mexico's Pacific coast this early in the season, which runs from May to November. Forecasters predict an above-average active season, with between eight and 11 hurricanes, and four to six of those reaching major hurricane status. The storm centre is expected to move inland over southern Mexico throughout the day with winds that could be especially destructive near its core, the US National Hurricane Center said in a report. Up to about 41cm of rain is expected to hit the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to NHC. Moving forward, "Erick is expected to rapidly weaken over the mountains of Mexico, and the system is likely to dissipate tonight or early Friday," the centre added. "Heavy rainfall will lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain," NHC warned, as local authorities asked residents to remain vigilant. Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Conagua gave a similar warning, adding that waves in coastal areas were reaching up to 10m high. Local media and videos shared on social networks showed flooded streets in some of the main tourist destinations along Mexico's Pacific coast, such as Huatulco. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara, in a post on X, urged residents to follow authorities' recommendations and said shelters were available for those in areas at risk. Mexican authorities have also been coordinating evacuation efforts for tourists in beach destinations, including Acapulco. Hurricane Erick made landfall on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, authorities said, potentially bringing intense rains and life-threatening floods and mudslides. The storm made landfall around 5.30am local time on Thursday morning in the town of Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, in the state of Oaxaca, as a category 3 major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h and gusts of 250 km/h, Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, said. Scientists have warned that Erick, the first hurricane to make landfall in Mexico this hurricane season, could become the most intense hurricane along Mexico's Pacific coast this early in the season, which runs from May to November. Forecasters predict an above-average active season, with between eight and 11 hurricanes, and four to six of those reaching major hurricane status. The storm centre is expected to move inland over southern Mexico throughout the day with winds that could be especially destructive near its core, the US National Hurricane Center said in a report. Up to about 41cm of rain is expected to hit the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to NHC. Moving forward, "Erick is expected to rapidly weaken over the mountains of Mexico, and the system is likely to dissipate tonight or early Friday," the centre added. "Heavy rainfall will lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain," NHC warned, as local authorities asked residents to remain vigilant. Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Conagua gave a similar warning, adding that waves in coastal areas were reaching up to 10m high. Local media and videos shared on social networks showed flooded streets in some of the main tourist destinations along Mexico's Pacific coast, such as Huatulco. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara, in a post on X, urged residents to follow authorities' recommendations and said shelters were available for those in areas at risk. Mexican authorities have also been coordinating evacuation efforts for tourists in beach destinations, including Acapulco. Hurricane Erick made landfall on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, authorities said, potentially bringing intense rains and life-threatening floods and mudslides. The storm made landfall around 5.30am local time on Thursday morning in the town of Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, in the state of Oaxaca, as a category 3 major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h and gusts of 250 km/h, Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, said. Scientists have warned that Erick, the first hurricane to make landfall in Mexico this hurricane season, could become the most intense hurricane along Mexico's Pacific coast this early in the season, which runs from May to November. Forecasters predict an above-average active season, with between eight and 11 hurricanes, and four to six of those reaching major hurricane status. The storm centre is expected to move inland over southern Mexico throughout the day with winds that could be especially destructive near its core, the US National Hurricane Center said in a report. Up to about 41cm of rain is expected to hit the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to NHC. Moving forward, "Erick is expected to rapidly weaken over the mountains of Mexico, and the system is likely to dissipate tonight or early Friday," the centre added. "Heavy rainfall will lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain," NHC warned, as local authorities asked residents to remain vigilant. Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Conagua gave a similar warning, adding that waves in coastal areas were reaching up to 10m high. Local media and videos shared on social networks showed flooded streets in some of the main tourist destinations along Mexico's Pacific coast, such as Huatulco. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara, in a post on X, urged residents to follow authorities' recommendations and said shelters were available for those in areas at risk. Mexican authorities have also been coordinating evacuation efforts for tourists in beach destinations, including Acapulco. Hurricane Erick made landfall on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, authorities said, potentially bringing intense rains and life-threatening floods and mudslides. The storm made landfall around 5.30am local time on Thursday morning in the town of Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, in the state of Oaxaca, as a category 3 major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h and gusts of 250 km/h, Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, said. Scientists have warned that Erick, the first hurricane to make landfall in Mexico this hurricane season, could become the most intense hurricane along Mexico's Pacific coast this early in the season, which runs from May to November. Forecasters predict an above-average active season, with between eight and 11 hurricanes, and four to six of those reaching major hurricane status. The storm centre is expected to move inland over southern Mexico throughout the day with winds that could be especially destructive near its core, the US National Hurricane Center said in a report. Up to about 41cm of rain is expected to hit the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to NHC. Moving forward, "Erick is expected to rapidly weaken over the mountains of Mexico, and the system is likely to dissipate tonight or early Friday," the centre added. "Heavy rainfall will lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain," NHC warned, as local authorities asked residents to remain vigilant. Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Conagua gave a similar warning, adding that waves in coastal areas were reaching up to 10m high. Local media and videos shared on social networks showed flooded streets in some of the main tourist destinations along Mexico's Pacific coast, such as Huatulco. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara, in a post on X, urged residents to follow authorities' recommendations and said shelters were available for those in areas at risk. Mexican authorities have also been coordinating evacuation efforts for tourists in beach destinations, including Acapulco.
