Weather today: Severe storms threaten central US as Erick to intensify into major hurricane
More than 98 million people, including those in St. Louis, Indianapolis and Detroit, face a severe weather threat on Wednesday, June 18. Severe storms are expected in parts of the Midwest, Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region in the US on Wednesday, Fox News reported.
According to the NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, a Level 3 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms remains in place for the Indianapolis metro area, while St. Louis and Detroit are in the Level 2 out of 5 risk. This comes after severe storms rocked several areas in the central Plains on Tuesday, with winds recorded over 100 mph and hail.
On Wednesday, thunderstorms are predicted to develop in the afternoon, with damaging wind gusts and isolated hail. Also, there are possibilities of tornadoes covering the northern Indiana and southern Michigan area.
The National Hurricane Center has issued a warning that tropical storm Erick strengthened in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, roughly 180 miles south-southeast of Mexico's Puerto Angel. It is now expected to intensify into a hurricane by late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Erick is the fifth named storm in the Eastern Pacific hurricane season this year. It is predicted to be the first named storm in the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins to make landfall.
Earlier, the Mexican government issued a hurricane warning, covering regions from Puerto Angel to Acapulco. Besides this, tropical weather alerts were issued for the south and north regions of the expected landfall area.
Also read: Extreme heat grips US Southwest, health experts recommend ditching caffeine and alcohol
Heat advisories have been issued for several regions in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and eastern Arizona due to low humidity, strong winds and rising temperatures in these areas.
On Wednesday, temperature could reach as high as 110 degree Fahrenheit and more in places like Las Vegas and Phoenix. It is because of the summer season that starts to settle in the Southwest.
The high temperatures will later shift east into the Plains, mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions by Friday, ahead of the astronomical summer.
Hurricane Erick will soon form in the Eastern Pacific, potentially bringing flooding to Mexico's coastal regions.
The severe thunderstorm risks are for the Midwest and lower Great Lakes for the day.
High temperatures are expected across parts of the Desert Southwest into western Texas and north Alaska, the National Weather Service states.
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The Hindu
40 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Hurricane Erick strengthens to ‘extremely dangerous' Category 4: U.S. U.S. National Hurricane Centre
Southern Mexico's Pacific coast was braced for a Thursday (June 19, 2025) morning impact with the approach of Hurricane Erick, which was upgraded to an 'extremely dangerous' Category 4 early Thursday (June 19, 2025), the U.S. National Hurricane Centre said. The major storm threatens to unleash destructive winds near where the eye crashes ashore, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge, forecasters said. The Miami-based centre reported Erick was about 110 kilometres west-southwest of Puerto Angel, Mexico, and about 145 kilometres southeast of Punta Maldonado, Mexico. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 230 kph and was moving northwest at 15 kph. A hurricane is defined as Category 4 when wind speeds reach 209-251 kph. Late Wednesday (June 18, 2025), Erick's projected path crept south, closer to the resort city of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca state, and centred on a sparsely populated stretch of coastline between the Oaxacan resort and Acapulco to the northwest. President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a video message Wednesday (June 18, 2025) night that all activities in the region were suspended and she urged people to stay in their homes or to move to shelters if they lived in low-lying areas. Waves were crashing onto the esplanade in Puerto Escondido by nightfall, swamping wooden fishing boats that had been pulled up there for safety. The beach disappeared under pounding waves and the rising tide had already reached the interiors of some waterfront restaurants. Last-minute purchases ended at nightfall as stores closed and the streets emptied. Earlier in the day, fishermen in Puerto Escondido pulled their boats out of the water ahead of the storm's arrival. Some surfers continued to ride waves at the Zicatela beach, even with red flags up to warn people to stay out of the water. The storm's course shift could be welcome relief for residents of storm-battered Acapulco. The city of nearly 1 million was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that rapidly intensified and caught many unprepared. At least 52 people died in Otis and the storm severely damaged almost all of the resort's hotels. Acapulco still 'scarred' by Otis Acapulco residents said they were bracing for Erick's arrival with more preparation and trepidation because of the memory of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Otis two years earlier. Guerrero state Gov. Evelyn Salgado said via X that all movement in Acapulco and other beach communities was to be suspended at 8 p.m. Schools across the state were to remain closed for a second day Thursday (June 19, 2025). Carlos Ozuna Romero, 51, lost his restaurant at the edge of an Acapulco beach when Otis slammed the resort with devastating winds. On Wednesday, he directed workers storing tables and chairs. 'Authorities' warnings fill us with fear and obviously make us remember everything we've already been through,' Ozuna Romero said in reference to Otis. Elsewhere, workers nailed sheets of plywood over shop windows and stacked sandbags outside doorways. Cars lined up to fill their tanks and shoppers made last-minute purchases before rushing home. Verónica Gómez struggled through the streets of Acapulco with a large jug of water. 'We're all afraid because we think the same thing could happen,' said the 40-year-old employee of a shipping company. But she said she and others learned a lot from Otis. 'Now it's not going to catch us by surprise," she said, holding out a bag of canned food as evidence. Also read: 2024's record ocean heat revved up Atlantic hurricane wind speeds: study In Acapulco on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), there was a strong presence of National Guard and police in the streets, but most visible were trucks from the national power company. Crews worked to clear drainage canals and brush. Rain could be Erick's legacy Forecasters said Erick was expected to lash Mexico's Pacific coast with heavy rain, strong winds and a fierce storm surge. Rains of up to 16 inches (40 centimetres) could fall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lesser totals in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, the centre's advisory said. The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain. A hurricane warning was in effect from Acapulco to Puerto Ángel. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the area, and preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, according to the hurricane centre advisory. Laura Velázquez, Mexico's national civil defence coordinator, said Erick was forecast to bring 'torrential' rains to Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas in southern Mexico. The mountainous region along the coast is especially prone to mudslides, with numerous rivers at risk of flooding. Guerrero Gov. Evelyn Salgado said all schools would remain closed and the state had alerted all of the fishing and tourism operators to make their boats storm-ready. Acapulco's port closed Tuesday evening. Salgado said 582 shelters were set to receive people who might evacuate their homes. Sheinbaum warned in her daily briefing that those in the hurricane's path should heed government instructions and wait out the storm in their homes or designated shelters. Erick quickly doubled in strength Having doubled in strength in less than a day, Erick was churning through an ideal environment for quick intensification. Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification — when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours — which is about twice as many as average and causes problems with forecasting, according to the hurricane centre.
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
Hurricane Erick strengthens to Category 3 storm as it approaches Mexico
Hurricane Erick has intensified into a Category 3 major hurricane threatening approaching southern Mexico's coast with destructive winds and heavy rain, the US Hurricane Center said Wednesday evening. The Miami-based center warned Erick has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph) after hours of rapid intensification, strengthening from a Category 1 storm earlier in the day. The cyclone is in the eastern Pacific about 55 miles (90 kilometers) south-southwest of Puerto Angel in Mexico. It's also about 160 miles (260 kilometers) southeast of Punta Maldonado and moving northwest at 9 mph (15 kph), the latest hurricane center advisory said. Hurricane Erick rapidly strengthened Wednesday afternoon into a potent Category 2 storm as it churned toward Mexico's southern coast amid warnings it was likely to become a dangerous major hurricane that would threaten the region with damaging winds, life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. The hurricane's maximum sustained winds had risen by early afternoon to 110 mph (175 kph) as the intensifying storm headed toward an expected landfall sometime Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Erick was centered about 85 miles (135 kilometers) south of Puerto ngel, the latest advisory said. The storm's projected path would take its center near the resort of Acapulco, which was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that rapidly intensified and caught many unprepared. At least 52 people died in Otis and 32 were missing, after the storm severely damaged almost all of the resort's hotels. In Acapulco Wednesday, there was a strong presence of National Guard and police in the streets, but most visible were trucks from the national power company. Crews worked to clear drainage canals and brush. Some beaches were already closed, but tourists continued to sunbathe on others. On a beach in Acapulco, a line of people waited for the help of a backhoe to pull their boats out of the water. Adrin Acevedo Durantes, 52, hauls tourists around Acapulco's picturesque coastline in boats. Two of his boats sank in Hurricane Otis and a third was badly damaged. We're taking precautions because with Otis we never expected one of that magnitude to come and now with climate change the water is warmer and the hurricanes are more powerful, Acevedo said. This time the port administration ordered that no one ride out the storm aboard their boats. During Otis many lost their lives by staying on boats in the harbor, which had traditionally been how they ensured their safety during previous storms. He said knew some of those lost at sea. He acknowledged that it was sunny and the water calm Wednesday afternoon, making it hard to imagine a major storm was on the way, but said with Otis it was calm all day, sunny, then at midnight there were two hours of strong winds and we saw what had happened the next day. Francisco Casarubio, a 46-year-old choreographer, carried a carton of eggs as he did some last-minute shopping ahead of the storm. He planned to pick up rice, beans and some canned food as well. His home flooded and lost power in Otis and said he was taking Erick more seriously, but hadn't had time to shop until Wednesday. Forecasters said Erick was expected to lash Mexico's Pacific coast with heavy rain, strong winds and a fierce storm surge. Rains of up to 16 inches (40 centimeters) could fall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lesser totals in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, the center's advisory said. The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain. Erick was forecast to reach major hurricane strength late Wednesday near the coast and is then expected to move inland. A major hurricane is defined as Category 3 or higher and wind speeds of at least 111 mph (180 kph).
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Hurricane Erick: Category 3 storm nears Mexico; southern states on high alert
Hurricane Erick jumps to Category 3 storm Hurricane Erick has strengthened into a powerful Category 3 storm and is closing in on Mexico's southern Pacific coast, the US National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday. The NHC has warned that the storm could bring 'potentially destructive winds and life-threatening flash floods.' According to NHC, Erick had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and was moving northwest at a speed of 9 mph (15 km/h). The storm was located about 55 miles (90 kilometres) south-southwest of Puerto Ángel and roughly 160 miles (260 kilometres) southeast of Punta Maldonado. Forecasters said the hurricane is expected to strengthen before making landfall early Thursday, bringing dangerous storm surges, coastal flooding, and destructive waves to parts of the southern coast. States on high alert The Mexican states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas are on high alert, with the government urging residents to move to shelters and avoid risk zones. President Claudia Sheinbaum appealed to the public to stay indoors and follow official instructions. 'We tell the population to stay tuned to official communications, to stay indoors, and not go out,' she said. 'If you are in low-lying areas, near rivers, near waterways, it is best for you to go to shelters, to the shelters that have already been set up for this situation.' She also urged boat owners not to go out to sea. More than 2,000 temporary shelters have been established across the three states, and hundreds of troops, electricity workers, and civil protection teams have been deployed. Local authorities suspended classes, closed ports, and heightened alerts in cities and tourist destinations along the coast, including Acapulco. Communities prepare for flooding Authorities are particularly concerned about the risk of flash floods and mudslides in mountainous regions. Torrential rains are forecast in Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas, with up to 16 inches (40 centimetres) of rainfall expected in some areas. Laura Velázquez, Mexico's national civil defence coordinator, said rivers and dams are being monitored closely. 'Torrential' rain is expected, with risks heightened in regions with steep terrain. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado confirmed that all schools were closed and 582 shelters had been prepared. The port of Acapulco was shut Tuesday evening, and fishing and tourism operators were advised to secure their equipment. Erick is the fifth named storm of the Pacific hurricane season, which runs through November. Authorities continue to urge residents in the storm's path to take precautions seriously and stay informed. 'Strongest storm in Mexico' Having doubled in strength in less than a day, Hurricane Erick rapidly intensified as it moved through ideal conditions off Mexico's southern coast. Scientists say this rapid intensification — defined as a storm gaining at least 35 mph in 24 hours — has become more frequent in a warmer climate. Erick surged by 50 mph in just 18 hours, and forecasters expect it to strengthen further. 'It's likely that when Erick hits, it will be the strongest storm to make landfall in that part of Mexico this early in the season,' said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy. Experts note that while Erick is powerful, it differs from the deadly Hurricane Otis, which struck Acapulco in October 2023 after forming over deeper, warmer waters. The current storm's environment is slightly cooler below the surface, though surface temperatures remain high. 'It's got a good stormy eye forming,' said atmospheric scientist Kristen Corbosiero, adding the storm's surroundings are 'extremely moist,' which fuels its growth.
