Hurricane Erick, intensifying to a Category 4 storm, is expected to hit Mexico's southern coast, particularly in Oaxaca and Guerrero, prompting widespread evacuations and emergency measures ahead of the dangerous storm surge.
Hurricane Erick Approaches Mexico: A Category 4 Storm on the Brink of Disaster
Hurricane Erick Approaches Mexico: A Category 4 Storm on the Brink of Disaster
As Hurricane Erick nears Mexico's coast, authorities prepare for possible landfall and severe impacts.
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Hurricane Erick was poised to make landfall in Mexico as a powerful Category 4 storm early Thursday, following a trail of flash floods, school closures, and evacuations in the southern states of Oaxaca and Guerrero. The system was expected to strike land just west of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca, bringing with it destructive winds and torrential rain that could lead to hazardous storm surges.
Late Wednesday, as Erick approached the Pacific Coast, Mexico’s Civil Protection authorities activated a red alert, signaling the highest danger for severe weather in both Oaxaca and Guerrero. The U.S. National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning stretching approximately 300 miles from Puerto Ángel in Oaxaca to the bustling resort city of Acapulco in Guerrero.
In preparation for the impending impact, the Mexican government established more than 2,000 temporary shelters across Guerrero, Oaxaca, and the neighboring state of Chiapas. President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents in the path of Erick to remain indoors and advised those living in low-lying areas, near rivers, and other water bodies to evacuate to emergency shelters.
In the community of Lagunas de Chacahua, over 100 residents, primarily fishermen and tourism workers, were housed in schools as the government enforced evacuations. Meanwhile, the storm caused significant flooding in Salina Cruz, a crucial seaport in Oaxaca, stranding numerous vehicles. Local police were mobilized to assist motorists and clear debris from roadways.
As the storm approached, high winds battered coastal towns, prompting many store owners in Puerto Escondido to board up their premises. Tourists were advised to stay in their accommodations as a precautionary measure. School closures were enacted for a second consecutive day in various parts of Oaxaca, as reported by Emilio Montero Pérez, head of the Oaxaca State Institute of Public Education.
Hurricane Erick rapidly gained strength on Wednesday, boasting winds potent enough to uproot trees, damage structures, and hurl debris through the air. Authorities are closely monitoring local dams and river levels, warning citizens about potential flash floods. The Southern Pacific Coast, having faced devastation from Category 5 Hurricane Otis in 2023 that led to over 50 fatalities, braces again for severe weather.
Erick marks the fifth named storm to develop this year in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with the Pacific hurricane season running until November 30.
Hurricane Erick was poised to make landfall in Mexico as a powerful Category 4 storm early Thursday, following a trail of flash floods, school closures, and evacuations in the southern states of Oaxaca and Guerrero. The system was expected to strike land just west of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca, bringing with it destructive winds and torrential rain that could lead to hazardous storm surges.
Late Wednesday, as Erick approached the Pacific Coast, Mexico’s Civil Protection authorities activated a red alert, signaling the highest danger for severe weather in both Oaxaca and Guerrero. The U.S. National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning stretching approximately 300 miles from Puerto Ángel in Oaxaca to the bustling resort city of Acapulco in Guerrero.
In preparation for the impending impact, the Mexican government established more than 2,000 temporary shelters across Guerrero, Oaxaca, and the neighboring state of Chiapas. President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents in the path of Erick to remain indoors and advised those living in low-lying areas, near rivers, and other water bodies to evacuate to emergency shelters.
In the community of Lagunas de Chacahua, over 100 residents, primarily fishermen and tourism workers, were housed in schools as the government enforced evacuations. Meanwhile, the storm caused significant flooding in Salina Cruz, a crucial seaport in Oaxaca, stranding numerous vehicles. Local police were mobilized to assist motorists and clear debris from roadways.
As the storm approached, high winds battered coastal towns, prompting many store owners in Puerto Escondido to board up their premises. Tourists were advised to stay in their accommodations as a precautionary measure. School closures were enacted for a second consecutive day in various parts of Oaxaca, as reported by Emilio Montero Pérez, head of the Oaxaca State Institute of Public Education.
Hurricane Erick rapidly gained strength on Wednesday, boasting winds potent enough to uproot trees, damage structures, and hurl debris through the air. Authorities are closely monitoring local dams and river levels, warning citizens about potential flash floods. The Southern Pacific Coast, having faced devastation from Category 5 Hurricane Otis in 2023 that led to over 50 fatalities, braces again for severe weather.
Erick marks the fifth named storm to develop this year in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with the Pacific hurricane season running until November 30.
