Introduction to Erick and its Impact
Erick, a degraded low-pressure system, recently passed through Oaxaca and Guerrero, causing significant material damage despite leaving no direct casualties. The storm, which reached Category 4 hurricane strength before making landfall, brought torrential rains, flooding, landslides, power outages, and road closures across multiple regions.
Affected Regions and Utilities
According to federal authorities, Erick affected 123,757 electricity users, primarily in Ometepec and Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, with 26% of the service restored so far. Fifteen road segments, including the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla highway and the Mitla-Tehuantepec toll booth, have been closed due to landslides.
Damages and Disruptions in Oaxaca
In Oaxaca, 14 municipalities reported flooding in homes and hospitals, power and telephone outages, and the suspension of classes in 3,125 schools from the Istmo de Tehuantepec, Costa, and Sierra Sur regions. Notable damages include a fire at the Antonio Dovali Jaime refinery in Salina Cruz and the collapse of the iconic Monumento al Pez Vela in Puerto Escondido.
Huatulco’s municipal president, Julio Cárdenas, highlighted that damages were concentrated in areas with informal settlements, where deforestation and poor urban planning exacerbated flooding. The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has focused on restoring power in affected areas, denying any planned outages.
Situation in Guerrero
In Guerrero, the Costa Chica region experienced power outages in four municipalities, fallen trees and rooftops, and the evacuation of 1,292 people to 21 temporary shelters.
Economic Losses in Acapulco
Acapulco’s Economic Impact:
The economic losses caused by Erick’s passage in Acapulco amount to 1,878 million pesos, according to the latest report from the National Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Canaco) in the port. Canaco president Alejandro Martínez Sidney explained that this impact is mainly due to the mass closure of over 18,000 businesses during the emergency period.
“Fortunately, there have been no material losses or damages to tourism infrastructure,” Martínez Sidney said. “However, the economic damage is severe due to two days of paralyzed activities in the affected area. I appreciate the public’s adherence to coordinated instructions from federal, state, and municipal authorities during this emergency.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the impact of Erick on the affected regions? Erick caused significant material damage in Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, Chiapas, Puebla, and Veracruz. It led to torrential rains, flooding, landslides, power outages, and road closures.
- How many people were affected by the power outages? Erick left over 123,000 electricity users without power, primarily in Ometepec and Santiago Pinotepa Nacional. As of now, 26% of the service has been restored.
- What notable damages occurred in Oaxaca? In Oaxaca, there were flooding incidents in homes and hospitals, power and telephone outages, school suspensions, a fire at the Antonio Dovali Jaime refinery in Salina Cruz, and the collapse of the Monumento al Pez Vela in Puerto Escondido.
- How did Guerrero’s Costa Chica region fare during Erick? The Costa Chica region in Guerrero experienced power outages, fallen trees and rooftops, and the evacuation of 1,292 people to temporary shelters.
- What were the economic losses in Acapulco? The hurricane caused 1,878 million pesos in economic losses in Acapulco, mainly due to the closure of over 18,000 businesses during the emergency period.
