Key Point Summary – Hurricane Erick Slams Mexico
- Hurricane Erick makes landfall as a Category 3 storm
- Over two million people are in Erick’s projected path
- Winds reach 125?mph; storm surge could hit 10 feet
- NHC warns of life-threatening flooding and mudslides
- Authorities open 2,000 shelters and deploy emergency teams
- Evacuations ordered in Acapulco, Oaxaca, Guerrero
- Public urged to stay home or move to shelters
Hurricane Erick Treads Inland
Hurricane Erick pummeled Mexico’s southwest coast Thursday.
It hit Oaxaca and Guerrero at 7:50?am ET. It roared ashore with 125?mph winds, packing category 3 force. Over two million residents now face its full wrath.
Coast Braces for Flooding Emergency
The National Hurricane Center warns of 8–12 inches of rain.
In places, totals could reach 16 inches. Officials predict deadly flooding and mudslides in mountainous regions.
Near the coast, a storm surge of six to ten feet could toss homes and roads.
Hurricane Erick Unleashes Devastation
Videos from Huatulco and Oaxaca show urban areas submerged.
Cars drift in flooded streets. Homes sit half underwater. The storm surged hours before landfall.
As Erick plows inland, its core remains dangerous.
Hurricane Erick Threatens Millions
President Claudia Sheinbaum declared an emergency Wednesday night.
She shut down schools, businesses, and public events. Authorities urged residents to shelter in place or move to safe zones.
So far, almost 2,000 temporary shelters are ready across Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.
Emergency Crews Mobilize Fast
Hundreds of troops and utility workers are on standby.
Their mission: clear roads, restore power, aid shelters. Ports along the coast are closed. Acapulco’s bustling resort, famous for nightlife, cautioned holidaymakers via loudspeakers.
Fishermen dragged boats ashore. Businesses boarded up windows.
Hurricane Erick’s Fallout Grows
By daybreak, Erick weakened slightly to category 3 strength.
Still, its 125?mph winds can uproot trees, destroy buildings, and cut off power. Officials warn of sharp rain bursts as the storm moves inland at nine mph.
Rural Communities Brace for Impact
In Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, waves crashed against the shore.
Residents filled sandbags and stocked supplies. Children crowded into shelters, clutching blankets.
One local volunteer said she’d never seen a storm so fierce this early in the season.
Hurricane Erick Sparks Urgency
For Mexico, hurricane season runs May through November.
Erick arrived fast. It went from tropical storm to category 3 in less than a day—just as scientists predicted. The rapid intensification leaves little prep time.
What Else to Know
- Erick is expected to break apart over mountains by Friday.
- Still, flash floods could linger for days.
- Classes remain suspended until further notice.
- Stay-at-home orders and shelter alerts are active.
- Tourists evacuated from Acapulco and other coastal resorts.
Public Reaction & Anxiety
Online, residents plea for help.
“Power went out. Water is rising,” one tweeted from Acapulco.
Another shared a video of his street, flooded overnight.
Despite warnings, some ignored evacuation orders—raising risk levels.
Outlook: Weeks of Recovery Ahead
Erick will weaken fast, but its effects may last.
Flooded towns will need major cleanup. Roads may stay blocked. Power restores could take days.
Emergency crews warn of ongoing hazards—collapsed bridges, landslides, and contaminated water.
What Comes Next
Communities must stay alert this weekend.
Even a fading storm can dump rain and trigger floods. Officials urge residents to avoid rushing back home until they declare zones safe.
Satellite images and weather models will guide rescue and cleanup efforts.
For now, two million people remain in Erick’s path. And their world holds its breath.
