Overview and Key Players
Hurricane Erick has left Acapulco with economic losses amounting to 1,878 million pesos, as reported by Alejandro Martínez Sidney, president of the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Canaco) in Acapulco. The damages are primarily due to the mass closure of over 18,000 businesses during the emergency period.
Impact on Various Sectors
Transportation: The transport sector has been significantly affected, with the complete suspension of operations at the international airport, bus lines, and public transportation systems including taxis, trucks, and colectivos. Gas stations have also closed, and commercial activity has nearly come to a standstill.
Nautical Sector: The nautical sector, which had previously reported initial damages, now has 187 tourism vessels, including 120 dedicated to riparian fishing, suspended from operations. Additionally, all port operations have been closed.
Canaco’s Response and Future Plans
The Canaco acknowledged the coordination with federal, state, and municipal authorities during this emergency. Preliminary loss figures may change as more sectors are evaluated and the real impact on the local economy is determined.
Canaco will keep the public informed through its official channels about the emergency’s progress and plans for Acapulco’s economic recovery. They emphasize the importance of businesses verifying their facilities and adhering to civil protection protocols before reopening.
Canaco urges authorities to expedite economic support as each day of inactivity deals a more significant blow to small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which rely on daily income.
Lastly, Canaco encourages the population to responsibly reactivate local consumption once the emergency passes as part of Acapulco’s economic recovery.
Damage Assessment in Oaxaca
The government of Oaxaca conducted a damage assessment following Hurricane Erick’s impact on the state’s coastline during a Comité Estatal de Protección Civil session. They reported road closures, such as the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla highway at kilometer 63 and the Mitla-Tehuantepec highway at kilometer 9, along with landslides on the federal route 200 Costachica.
Flight Cancellations and Impact: Sixteen flights were canceled in Puerto Escondido, and ten in Huatulco, affecting over 9,000 passengers. Although airport infrastructure suffered no major damages, operations remain suspended due to air traffic control instructions.
Tourism Sector Impact: At least 19 restaurants and tourism service providers in Manzanillo and Puerto Ángel reported considerable damages. In coastal areas, 351 temporary shelters were set up across six regions to accommodate affected populations, especially in communities like Collantes, Guadalupe, and Mártires de Tacubaya that experienced flooding.
