Hurricane Erick slams into Mexico as Category 3 storm: are you in the danger zone? Flash floods, red alerts, and evacuations hit Oaxaca and Guerrero — here's what you need to know
Hurricane Erick made landfall early Thursday morning on Mexico's southern Pacific coast, hitting as a Category 3 hurricane after earlier reaching Category 4 strength. With wind speeds of around 125 mph, the storm struck just east of Punta Maldonado, moving inland through Oaxaca and Guerrero, forcing evacuations, closing schools, and setting off dangerous flash floods. While the storm slightly weakened before landfall, officials warned that it would still cause life-threatening floods, mudslides, and storm surge, especially in mountainous and coastal areas.
More than 2,000 emergency shelters were set up across Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas, and Mexico's Civil Protection authorities issued a red alert in multiple regions. Erick, the fifth named storm in the eastern Pacific this year, is expected to weaken further as it moves inland, with forecasters from the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicting it could dissipate by early Friday.
How strong is Hurricane Erick?
Erick intensified rapidly in less than 24 hours, morphing from a moderate hurricane into what experts called an 'extremely dangerous' system. This rapid strengthening, driven by warm ocean waters and favorable atmospheric conditions, turned Erick into
the first major hurricane of the Eastern Pacific season
—and the earliest "E" storm on record.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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The storm made landfall near
western Oaxaca
, packing sustained winds around
125 mph (205 kph)
after briefly reaching
Category 4 intensity
overnight.
Where exactly did Hurricane Erick make landfall?
Hurricane Erick came ashore around 6 a.m. local time near Punta Maldonado in western Oaxaca, moving northwest through the region. At the time of landfall, Erick had maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Earlier on Wednesday night, it had intensified rapidly from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane, with its wind speeds doubling in just hours.
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According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, the storm was expected to produce 8 to 12 inches of rain across most areas it passed, with some locations possibly receiving up to 16 inches, especially in high-risk regions of Oaxaca and Guerrero.
Which areas are under red alert?
Authorities in
Oaxaca and Guerrero
declared a
red alert
, Mexico's highest warning level, urging residents to take shelter immediately. The storm's path stretched from
Acapulco to Puerto Ángel
, prompting widespread evacuations, school closures, and a halt to non-essential activities. More than
500 emergency shelters
were opened, and over
18,000 emergency personnel
were deployed across the affected states.
Which areas and cities were hit hardest by Hurricane Erick?
Hurricane Erick made a destructive landfall along Mexico's southern Pacific coast, bringing devastating winds, flash floods, and dangerous surf. Here's a breakdown of the most affected locations:
Direct hit and landfall area:
Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca
– Official landfall site; experienced the full force of Erick's 125 mph winds.
Punta Maldonado
– Located just east of landfall, hit by storm surge and heavy rain.
Severely impacted coastal cities:
Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
– A popular tourist area now battling powerful waves, flooding, and wind damage.
Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca
– Under hurricane warning; coastal infrastructure under threat.
Salina Cruz, Oaxaca
– Facing flooding concerns and strong wind gusts.
Huatulco, Oaxaca
– Reports of damage at hospitals; rough seas batter the coastline.
Acapulco, Guerrero
– Under red alert; residents still recovering from past hurricane trauma now face another major threat.
Broader danger zone:
States on red alert
:
Oaxaca
Guerrero
Additional areas under flood watch
:
Chiapas
Michoacán
Colima
Jalisco
These regions are dealing with up to
16–20 inches of rainfall
, severe flash flood risk, and potential mudslides in mountainous zones.
What kind of damage is expected?
The biggest threats aren't just from wind—though gusts toppled trees and damaged homes—but from relentless rainfall. Meteorologists are warning of up to 16 inches (40 cm) of rain in some areas, raising fears of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in mountainous terrain. Coastal regions are also bracing for storm surge and waves up to 33 feet (10 meters).
What emergency actions did Mexico take before Hurricane Erick arrived?
In preparation for the storm, Mexican authorities responded swiftly. Over 2,000 temporary shelters were established in Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. A hurricane warning was issued for a 300-mile stretch of coastline from Puerto Ángel to Acapulco. President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents living in low-lying areas, near rivers or waterways, to evacuate to these shelters and avoid venturing out.
'
If you are in low-lying areas, near rivers, near waterways, it is best for you to go to shelters... Anyone who has a boat should not go out,
' Sheinbaum emphasized during a Wednesday morning news conference.
How have local communities and infrastructure been impacted?
The storm caused widespread disruption even before landfall. In Lagunas de Chacahua, over 100 residents — many of them fishermen and tourism workers — took refuge in schools. In Salina Cruz, a vital seaport in Oaxaca, streets were flooded, and cars were left stranded. Local police worked through the day clearing rocks, debris, and fallen branches from blocked roads.
Residents and business owners in Puerto Escondido boarded up windows in anticipation, and tourists were advised to remain indoors. In affected areas of Oaxaca, schools were closed for the second day in a row, according to Emilio Montero Pérez, the state's education chief.
Is flooding the biggest concern with Hurricane Erick?
Yes, according to the National Hurricane Center, the greatest threats are heavy rainfall, flash floods, and dangerous mudslides. The forecast of up to 16 inches of rain in some locations raises the alarm, particularly for mountainous terrain where saturated soil can trigger deadly landslides.
Authorities are closely watching dams and rivers to prevent overflow. Coastal areas are also experiencing large waves and strong swells, increasing the risk of storm surge and flooding along beaches and river mouths.
How does Hurricane Erick compare to past storms in Mexico?
Hurricane Erick's rapid intensification has drawn comparisons to Hurricane Otis, which struck Mexico's Pacific coast in 2023 as a Category 5 hurricane, killing over 50 people and devastating the city of Acapulco. Otis's damage included sunken yachts, flattened homes, and destroyed hotels.
While Erick made landfall with less intensity than Otis, its fast development and projected rainfall totals are serious enough that authorities are urging residents not to underestimate the threat. As the fifth named storm of the 2025 Pacific hurricane season, Erick highlights ongoing concerns about stronger and faster-developing tropical systems.
What should locals and tourists do now?
Authorities are urging everyone in the danger zones to:
Follow evacuation orders
without delay.
Avoid rivers, hillsides, and low-lying areas
vulnerable to flooding or landslides.
Stay away from beaches
, as rough surf and deadly rip currents are expected to persist even after the storm weakens.
As Hurricane Erick continues inland, its winds are expected to die down, but the danger from flooding, mudslides, and rough seas remains very real. Residents across Oaxaca and Guerrero are being urged to stay sheltered, avoid travel, and follow updates from Civil Protection and the National Hurricane Center. With heavy rain forecast through Friday, the focus now shifts to managing post-landfall conditions and ensuring safety in affected communities.
FAQs:
Q1: Where did Hurricane Erick make landfall in Mexico?
Hurricane Erick made landfall near Punta Maldonado, in Oaxaca.
Q2: How strong was Hurricane Erick when it hit Mexico?
Hurricane Erick hit as a Category 3 storm with winds around 125 mph.
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