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CTV News
an hour ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Hurricane Erick strengthens to a Category 3 storm as it nears Mexico's Pacific coast
This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Tropical Storm Erick, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (NOAA via AP) ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) -- Hurricane Erick has intensified into a Category 3 major hurricane threatening approaching southern Mexico's coast with destructive winds and heavy rain, the U.S. 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. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below. PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico -- 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 100 mph (155 kph) as the intensifying storm headed toward an expected landfall sometime Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. By Wednesday afternoon, Erick was centered about 105 miles (165 kilometres) south of Puerto Angel and about 215 miles (345 kilometres) southeast of Punta Maldonado in the eastern Pacific, the latest hurricane center advisory said. Forecasters said Erick was expected over the coming hours to lash Mexico's Pacific coast with heavy rain, strong winds and a fierce storm surge. Rains of up to 20 inches (50 centimetres) could fall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lesser totals in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, the center's advisory says. The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain. The hurricane center said Erick was forecast to reach major hurricane strength late Wednesday night or early Thursday 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). Hours earlier, Erick was a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph) moving northwest toward the coast at 8 mph (13 kph). 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. Down the coast in Puerto Escondido near the southern edge of Erick's possible path, some fishermen began pulling their boats out of the water under a drizzling sky Wednesday. Even though the wind had yet to pick up at the Zicatela beach, red flags were up to warn people to stay out of the water. But some surfers ignored them as they continued to ride waves. Laura Velazquez, Mexico's national civil defense coordinator, said Wednesday that 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, and there are numerous rivers that could jump their banks. Thousands of troops were being deployed to the area, Velazquez said. Guerrero Gov. Evelyn Salgado said Wednesday that all schools were closed and the state had alerted all of the fishing and tourism operators of the risk of the coming storm and recommended they prepare their boats. Acapulco's port closed Tuesday evening. She said 582 shelters were prepared to receive people who might evacuate their homes. One of the criticisms of the government's handling of Hurricane Otis was that authorities did not give sufficient warning about the threat posed by the rapidly intensifying storm. Many boats sank in Acapulco's harbor. President Claudia Sheinbaum during her daily news briefing Wednesday warned residents in the hurricane's path to heed government instructions and wait out the storm in their homes or government shelters. A hurricane warning was in effect from Acapulco to Puerto Angel. 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 center advisory. By Luis Alberto Cruz, The Associated Press
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Hurricane Erick forms near Mexico, rapidly intensifies on path in Pacific
More FEMA officials step down as hurricane season gets underway Hurricane Erick — the fifth-named storm of the Eastern North Pacific hurricane season — is intensifying as it continues on a path toward Mexico. The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning that Erick is expected to rapidly strengthen throughout the day and "may reach major hurricane strength" as it approaches southern Mexico on Thursday. As of 7 a.m. ET Wednesday, Erick had sustained winds of nearly 75 mph, with higher gusts, extending 15 miles out from its center. The center of the storm was forecast to approach southern Mexico Wednesday night and move inland or be near the coast Thursday, prompting a hurricane warning from Acapulco to Puerto Angel. A hurricane watch has also been issued from west of Acapulco to Texpan de Galeana, and from east of Puerto Angel to Bahias de Huatulco. The National Hurricane Center warned that rapid strengthening is expected and that Erick could reach major hurricane status before it reaches land. Major status begins at Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale, with winds between 111 mph and 129 mph, strong enough to cause "devastating damage," according to NOAA. "Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends," NOAA says of the category's potential impacts. "Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes." Hurricane Erick is forecast to rapidly intensify and could reach major status before hitting Mexico, the National Hurricane Center says. National Hurricane Center Categories 4 and 5 have even greater impacts, with the ability to cause "catastrophic damage," the service says. That scale, however, just accounts for wind. "Water hazards — storm surge and inland flooding — have historically been the leading causes of loss of life during hurricanes," NOAA warns. "Hurricanes can also bring strong winds, tornadoes, rough surf, and rip currents." Hurricane Erick is expected to produce maximum rainfall totals of 20 inches across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, leading to "life-threatening flooding and mudslides." National Hurricane Center Erick is forecast to produce between 8 and 16 inches of rain, with maximum totals of 20 inches across the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, the National Hurricane Center said, leading to "life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain." Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco are expected to see between 3 and 5 inches of rain. Dangerous storm surge, which is a rise in sea level during the storm, is also expected to create coastal flooding and be accompanied by "large and destructive waves."
BreakingNews.ie
13 hours ago
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Hurricane Erick forms off Mexican coast, threatening flooding and mudslides
Hurricane Erick has formed in the Pacific Ocean on a forecast track to bring heavy rain, strong winds, storm surge and possible mudslides to southern coastal Mexico, the US National Hurricane Centre said. Up to 20 inches of rain could fall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lighter amounts in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, the Miami-based centre said in an advisory. Advertisement The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain. Erick was located about 160 miles south-southeast of Puerto Angel and had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It is moving north west at approximately 7mph. Erick is expected to be at or near major hurricane status as it approaches the Mexican coast on Thursday. A major hurricane is defined as Category 3 or higher and wind speeds of 111-129 mph. Advertisement
