The storm, originally a Category 3, left significant damage but no casualties, as authorities mobilize relief efforts rapidly.
**Hurricane Erick Hits Mexico, Prompting Major Clean-Up Efforts**
**Hurricane Erick Hits Mexico, Prompting Major Clean-Up Efforts**
Southern Mexico faces extensive recovery after powerful Hurricane Erick disrupts communities.
Southern Mexico is in the midst of a significant clean-up effort following the destruction caused by Hurricane Erick, which made landfall on the Pacific coast as a formidable Category 3 storm. The coastal town of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca state experienced massive disruptions, including widespread power outages and phone coverage failures. Critical infrastructure was affected too, with two hospitals reported damaged, while streets were engulfed in floodwater.
Fortunately, there have been no confirmed fatalities or injuries linked to the hurricane. After hitting land, Erick's strength diminished, dropping to a Category 1, yet the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of ongoing risks such as flooding and powerful winds as the storm moved northward. A serious concern arose with alerts indicating a potential "life-threatening" storm surge, and the Mexican Ministry of Environment reported dangerous wave heights reaching up to 10 meters (33 feet).
In response to this disaster, hundreds of troops have been dispatched to assist with clean-up operations in Puerto Escondido, where numerous buildings sustained damage and roadways were rendered impassable. Local merchant Luis Alberto Gil lamented that the floodwater had never struck with such intensity before. According to the state-owned utility CFE, over 120,000 users were left without electricity in Oaxaca, though by late morning, power had been restored to 25% of affected homes.
Further up the coast in Acapulco, around 250 miles (400 km) away, the usually vibrant resort city was eerily quiet. Residents adhered to emergency advisories, with shops shuttered and tourist boats docked safely as they prepared for the storm's onslaught. Many took precautions by stocking up on essential supplies.
The NHC cautioned that while Hurricane Erick was rapidly weakening, potential dangers from flooding and mudslides persist, particularly in Oaxaca and the neighboring state of Guerrero. Leadership, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, has encouraged the relocation of individuals residing in low-lying regions or near rivers to designated shelters, of which around 2,000 had been established in Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. Earlier this year, the region faced another severe crisis following Hurricane Otis, which claimed at least 50 lives in Acapulco.
If you are in a hurricane-affected area and can safely share your experience, please reach out with your contact information for reporting opportunities.
Fortunately, there have been no confirmed fatalities or injuries linked to the hurricane. After hitting land, Erick's strength diminished, dropping to a Category 1, yet the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of ongoing risks such as flooding and powerful winds as the storm moved northward. A serious concern arose with alerts indicating a potential "life-threatening" storm surge, and the Mexican Ministry of Environment reported dangerous wave heights reaching up to 10 meters (33 feet).
In response to this disaster, hundreds of troops have been dispatched to assist with clean-up operations in Puerto Escondido, where numerous buildings sustained damage and roadways were rendered impassable. Local merchant Luis Alberto Gil lamented that the floodwater had never struck with such intensity before. According to the state-owned utility CFE, over 120,000 users were left without electricity in Oaxaca, though by late morning, power had been restored to 25% of affected homes.
Further up the coast in Acapulco, around 250 miles (400 km) away, the usually vibrant resort city was eerily quiet. Residents adhered to emergency advisories, with shops shuttered and tourist boats docked safely as they prepared for the storm's onslaught. Many took precautions by stocking up on essential supplies.
The NHC cautioned that while Hurricane Erick was rapidly weakening, potential dangers from flooding and mudslides persist, particularly in Oaxaca and the neighboring state of Guerrero. Leadership, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, has encouraged the relocation of individuals residing in low-lying regions or near rivers to designated shelters, of which around 2,000 had been established in Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. Earlier this year, the region faced another severe crisis following Hurricane Otis, which claimed at least 50 lives in Acapulco.
If you are in a hurricane-affected area and can safely share your experience, please reach out with your contact information for reporting opportunities.
