Overview of the Situation
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States forecasts that Hurricane Erick will move across Mexican territory until it dissipates by Thursday night.
Erick weakened after making landfall in Oaxaca during the early hours of Thursday. However, it still has maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and is moving at 19 kilometers per hour, according to the meteorological institute’s report at 15:00 GMT.
Impact and Current Conditions
These conditions will continue to cause heavy rainfall, with risks of flooding and landslides in several entities of Mexico.
Hurricane Erick: National Meteorological Service Forecast
Just before making landfall, Erick reached Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale (1 to 5).
The National Meteorological Service (SMN) of Mexico anticipates rain in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas (south), as well as Veracruz (east) and Puebla (central).
Government Response and Current Status
On Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed gratitude to the population for responding to all calls from authorities to stay indoors.
Protection Civil stated in a press release that, as of now, there are only “preliminary material damages,” with no reported human losses.
The agency mentioned that, once conditions allow, a “comprehensive damage assessment and needs analysis” will be conducted in the affected areas.
In Acapulco, which experienced a Category 5 hurricane named Otis in 2023 that left around fifty people dead, there is currently rain, closed businesses, and minimal movement from residents who had previously stocked up on supplies, water, and gasoline.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current status of Hurricane Erick? Erick has weakened to a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and is moving at 19 kilometers per hour. It made landfall in Oaxaca during the early hours of Thursday.
- Which areas are expected to experience heavy rainfall? The National Meteorological Service (SMN) of Mexico anticipates rain in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas (south), Veracruz (east), and Puebla (central).
- What is the current situation in Acapulco? There is rain, closed businesses, and minimal movement from residents in Acapulco. Residents had previously prepared by purchasing supplies, water, and gasoline in anticipation of the hurricane.
- Have there been any reported human losses due to Hurricane Erick? According to Protection Civil, there have been no reported human losses as of now.
