Background on Hurricane Erick and its Path
Hurricane Erick has been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves through southern Mexico, entering the Pacific coast of the country early Thursday morning. As per the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Erick currently has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and is traveling at 19 kilometers per hour through the southern state of Guerrero.
The NHC predicts that the storm will continue to traverse the south-southwestern region of Mexico until it dissipates in the late hours of Thursday. However, heavy rainfall and associated risks of flooding and landslides are still expected.
Impact and Response
Before making landfall, Hurricane Erick reached Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson scale (1 to 5). Mexico City’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, reported no human casualties so far but warned of anticipated heavy rains in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas (south), Veracruz (east), and Puebla (central).
President Sheinbaum acknowledged the public’s responsible adherence to authorities’ recommendations, stating on her social media channels that there were 15 closed road segments and a social security hospital with water intrusion in Oaxaca. Additionally, over 123,000 people experienced power outages.
In Acapulco, which suffered from Hurricane Otis (Category 5) in 2023, resulting in around fifty deaths, residents are currently experiencing rain, closed businesses, and minimal movement. Many stocked up on supplies, water, and gasoline in preparation for the storm.
Effects Along the Coast
Rain began late Wednesday afternoon along the Pacific coast, following a sunny day. Air and sea ports, as well as schools and non-essential activities, were closed in Guerrero and Oaxaca.
In Puerto Escondido, a popular tourist destination with approximately 30,000 residents, streets flooded, advertisements fell, and tree branches came down. The area lost power and cellular phone signal. Military personnel cleared debris Thursday morning as residents attempted to salvage submerged boats on the beach.
Over 2,000 shelters were set up as part of the contingency plan, with hundreds of military personnel deployed due to Mexico’s geographical location, which makes it frequently affected by cyclones along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts from May to November.
In September 2024, the southern Pacific coast of Mexico was struck twice by Hurricane John, which reached Category 3 status and resulted in at least 15 fatalities, most of them in Acapulco.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current status of Hurricane Erick? Hurricane Erick has been downgraded to a tropical storm and is moving through southern Mexico.
- Which regions are affected by Hurricane Erick? The storm is impacting the southern Mexican states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, and Puebla.
- What are the predicted impacts of Hurricane Erick? Heavy rainfall, flooding risks, and potential landslides are expected in the affected areas.
- What measures have been taken by authorities? Authorities have closed road segments, activated over 2,000 shelters, and deployed military personnel to manage the situation.
- How has the public responded? The public has largely followed authorities’ recommendations, preparing for the storm by stocking up on supplies and securing their homes.
