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GMA Network
2 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Major Hurricane Erick hits Mexico's Pacific coast, life-threatening floods expected
A red flag flutters in the wind, warning beachgoers of dangerous conditions as Hurricane Erick strengthens off Mexico's Pacific Coast, in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca state, Mexico, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Jorge Luis Plata MEXICO CITY — 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 a.m. 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 US 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. — Reuters
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Hurricane Erick hurtles over Mexico's Pacific coast, set to make landfall within hours
Palm trees sway in the wind and rain as Hurricane Erick strengthens off Mexico's Pacific Coast, in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca state, Mexico, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata Hurricane Erick hurtles over Mexico's Pacific coast, set to make landfall within hours MEXICO CITY - Hurricane Erick was advancing rapidly near Mexico's southern Pacific coast as a Category 4 storm and was expected to make landfall on Thursday, authorities said, potentially bringing intense rains and life-threatening floods and mudslides. The storm, about 55 miles (about 85 km) southeast of Punta Maldonado in the Mexican state of Guerrero, packed maximum sustained winds 140 mph (220 km/h) that could be "extremely destructive" near its core, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a report early on Thursday. With no certainty on where Erick would make landfall, 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. "The hurricane is expected to impact during Thursday morning as a powerful category 4 hurricane between Lagunas de Cha-cha, Oaxaca, and Punta Maldonado, Guerrero," the Mexican Ministry Of Environment said in a statement. Up to 16 inches (about 41 cm) of rain is expected to hit the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to NHC. 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 10 meters (33 ft) 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. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Extremely dangerous hurricane Erick looms over Mexico's Pacific coast
Palm trees sway in the wind and rain as Hurricane Erick strengthens off Mexico's Pacific Coast, in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca state, Mexico, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata MEXICO CITY - Hurricane Erick, now an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm, was located very near Mexico's southern Pacific coast and is expected make landfall on Thursday, authorities said. The hurricane was located 55 miles (about 85 km) southeast of Punta Maldonado, in the Mexican state of Guerrero, packing maximum sustained winds 140 mph (220 km/h), the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a report. "Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area beginning during the next few hours, with extremely destructive winds near the core of Erick," NHC said in the early hours of Thursday. A hurricane warning is in effect between the tourist enclaves of Acapulco and Puerto Angel, as there was no certainty on the exact location where the storm will make landfall. "The hurricane is expected to impact during Thursday morning as a powerful category 4 hurricane between Lagunas de Cha-cha, Oaxaca, and Punta Maldonado, Guerrero," the Mexican Ministry Of Environment said in a statement. Scientists have warned that Erick could become the most intense hurricane to make landfall along Mexico's Pacific coast this early in the season. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
