Floods expected after Hurricane Erick makes landfall in western Mexico
Hurricane Erick made landfall in the western Mexican state of Oaxaca on Thursday, the US National Hurricane Center said, having weakened to a "major" Category 3 storm that is likely to cause massive flooding and landslides.
The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 125 miles (205 kilometers) per hour as it hit just east of Punta Maldonado, the NHC said in a post on social media.
By 1200 GMT, Erick was moving northwest at a speed of nearly nine miles (15 kilometers) per hour, and was expected to continue making its way inland over southern Mexico through the day.
Heavy rainfall was expected to cause "life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain" in Oaxaca and Guerrero states, the NHC said.
A "life-threatening storm surge" was expected to cause coastal flooding near where the storm made landfall.
"Erick is expected to rapidly weaken over the mountains of Mexico, and the system is likely to dissipate tonight or early Friday," the center's advisory added.
Mexican authorities said they were also expecting heavy rain in southernmost state Chiapas.
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged people to avoid going out and advised those living in low-lying areas or near rivers to move to shelters.
In Acapulco, a major port and resort city famous for its nightlife, police with bullhorns walked the beach and drove around town warning residents and holidaymakers of the storm's arrival.
Some shops boarded up their windows and operators of tourist boats brought their vessels ashore.
Rainfall began in the late afternoon after a sunny day on Wednesday.
About 250 miles (400 kilometers) south of Acapulco, the city of Puerto Escondido and its 30,000 inhabitants braced for the hurricane's effects.
Restaurants were already closed despite tourists unwilling to give up their vacations, an AFP journalist noted from the scene.
"They say it's going to hit this side of the coast, so we're taking precautions to avoid having any regrets later," Adalberto Ruiz, a 55-year-old fisherman sheltering his boat, told AFP.
Laura Velazquez, national coordinator of civil protection, said the government was using patrols and social media to warn people.
Some 2,000 temporary shelters have been set up in Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca, and hundreds of troops and electricity workers have been deployed to help with any clean-up efforts.
Local authorities have suspended classes and closed ports along the coast, including the port of Acapulco, to shipping.
Mexico sees major storms every year, usually between May and November, on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
In October 2023, Acapulco was pummeled by Hurricane Otis, a powerful Category 5 storm that killed at least 50 people.
Hurricane John, another Category 3 storm that hit Acapulco in September last year, caused about 15 deaths.
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Boston Globe
33 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Erick makes landfall in southern Mexico as a Category 3 hurricane
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Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Will Hurricane Erick 2025 impact weather in Ontario? Plus, does Canada have a hurricane season?
Hurricane Erick made landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast as a Category 3 storm early Thursday. The powerful storm brought damaging winds and heavy rain. It's the first major hurricane, classified as a Category 3 or more, on record to hit Mexico before July, according to reporting by CNN . While Canadians, and Ontarians specifically, will be spared from direct impacts of the storm, we may experience some residual effect. Environment and Climate Change Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Steven Flisfeder explained once the storm makes landfall it will downgrade to a tropical cyclone, then a depression and finally a typical low pressure system, which will eventually dissipate. 'In the longer term — over the next week, week and a half — we may see some of that moisture make its way up toward Ontario,' he said. 'But we're not expecting anything major.' Earlier in June, Canada also dodged impact from Hurricane Barbara. Hurricane Erick made landfall in southern Mexico as a Category 3 storm on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Yes, Canada does have a hurricane season, and the 2025 hurricane season is expected to be worse than previous years. Only Canada's four eastern provinces in Atlantic Canada will ever experience a direct hit from a hurricane that's intact with the eye and its revolving winds still in place, explains Chris Fogarty, a meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax. In Canada, hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. On average, three or four tropical cyclone events impact Canada each hurricane season — with one or two making impact on Canadian soil and two or three threatening offshore waters, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Quebec and Ontario felt the brunt of hurricane season in Canada last year , slammed by the remnants of both Debby and Beryl. A week after Beryl, in July 2024, Ernesto came along. There were no direct landfalls in Canada last year. - With files from Norm Nelson Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Hurricane Erick makes landfall in Mexico
MEXICO CITY - Hurricane Erick, which has been classified as dangerous, has reached Mexico. The storm made landfall in the southwestern state of Oaxaca on Thursday with wind speeds reaching about 127 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing at least nine landslides on country roads, said the coordinator of Mexico's National Civil Protection Agency, Laura Velázquez. Erick also reportedly caused trees and power poles to topple. There were power outages and flooding, including in a hospital. According to preliminary official reports, there have been no fatalities so far in the affected states of Guerrero and Oaxaca. Shortly before making landfall, Erick weakened from the second-highest hurricane Category 4 to Category 3. The NHC had previously stated that it was an "extremely dangerous" storm. President Claudia Sheinbaum urged continued caution in her daily press conference. Although the storm is expected to weaken further over land, she said the danger, especially from heavy rain, is not over. Authorities warned of devastating wind damage and life-threatening flooding. A high danger level is in effect for the coastal section between the resorts of Acapulco and Puerto Ángel. Erick is the second hurricane of this year's Pacific season, following Barbara. The hurricane season begins in the Pacific on May 15 and in the Atlantic on June 1. It officially lasts in both regions until Nov. 30. In October 2023, Otis, a category 5 storm, killed at least 52 people in Acapulco and caused significant damage. According to experts, increasing global warming raises the likelihood of severe storms. _____ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
