Erick’s Intensity Decreases, Remains Over Guerrero
Erick has transitioned from a hurricane to a tropical storm and now a depression tropical, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN) report at 18:00 hours. The weather system entered a sparsely populated area and moved through a mountain range, causing heavy rainfall.
Current Position and Impact
As of the latest update, Erick is located 75 kilometers west of Chilpancingo de los Bravo and 95 kilometers north-northwest of Acapulco, Guerrero. The system has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h, gusts up to 75 km/h, and is moving northwest at 19 km/h. The SMN warns of heavy rainfall (150 to 250 mm) in Guerrero and Oaxaca, strong winds (60 to 80 km/h), and waves 1.5 to 2.5 meters high along the eastern and southern coasts of these states.
Damage Caused by Erick
Coastal communities, such as Lagunas de Chacahua in Oaxaca with approximately 2,800 residents, were directly hit by Erick as a powerful Category 3 huracán. The storm destroyed palm roofs of numerous homes and businesses, leaving streets flooded. A 45-year-old homemaker, Francisca Ávila, expressed her distress over the loss of most of her belongings to AFP.
Erick’s Path and Impact
Erick made landfall as a Category 3 huracán in the southern state of Oaxaca during the early morning before moving into neighboring Guerrero as a Category 4. The weather system entered a sparsely populated region and traversed a mountain range, triggering intense rainfall. Authorities in Mexico have issued alerts for potential landslides and flooding.
“No Human Losses”
President Claudia Sheinbaum reported during her morning briefing that “no human losses have been reported so far,” but she warned of anticipated heavy rains in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, and Puebla. She commended the public for adhering to authorities’ recommendations “in a very responsible manner,” according to her social media messages.
Effects Along the Coast
Rain began late Wednesday afternoon along the Pacific coast, following a sunny day. Airports and ports in Guerrero and Oaxaca were closed, and schools and non-essential activities were suspended.
In Puerto Escondido, a popular tourist destination with around 30,000 residents, streets flooded, advertisements fell, and tree branches came down. The area lost power and cellular service. Military personnel cleared debris Thursday morning as residents attempted to salvage submerged boats on the beach.
Luis Alberto Gil, a 44-year-old merchant in Puerto Escondido, stated that the water “had never struck with such magnitude” in the town. The government deployed hundreds of soldiers as part of the contingency plan and opened over 2,000 shelters.
Geographical Context and Past Impacts
Due to its geographical location, Mexico frequently experiences cyclones along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, typically between May and 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 Erick? Erick has weakened to a depression tropical with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and is located over Guerrero, causing heavy rainfall and strong winds in the region.
- Which areas have been affected by Erick? Coastal communities in Oaxaca and Guerrero have experienced significant damage, including destroyed homes, flooded streets, and loss of property. Puerto Escondido, a popular tourist destination, also suffered flooding and power outages.
- What precautions have been taken by authorities? Authorities have issued alerts for potential landslides and flooding, closed airports and ports, suspended classes and non-essential activities, and deployed military personnel to assist with cleanup efforts.
- Are there any reported human losses due to Erick? According to President Claudia Sheinbaum, there have been no reported human losses so far, but heavy rains are expected in several states, and the public has been praised for adhering to authorities’ recommendations.
- How does Mexico’s geography contribute to cyclone impacts? Due to its geographical location, Mexico frequently experiences cyclones along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, typically between May and November. Past events, such as Hurricane John in September 2024, demonstrate the potential for severe consequences.
