Hurricane Erick Approaches Mexico as a Category 4 Threat

Hurricane Erick is poised to strike Mexico's Pacific coast as a Category 4 hurricane, triggering flash floods and school closures in southern states, particularly Oaxaca and Guerrero.

Hurricane Erick is anticipated to make landfall on Mexico's Pacific Coast early Thursday, classified as a fierce Category 4 storm, bringing with it severe weather, flash flooding, and school closures in Oaxaca and Guerrero. The storm is expected to impact areas just west of Puerto Escondido, with officials warning about the potential for destructive winds and a dangerous storm surge.

In response to the imminent threat posed by Erick, Mexico’s Civil Protection authorities implemented a red alert across affected regions, indicating severe weather. This alert covers a 300-mile stretch of coast from Puerto Ángel in Oaxaca to Acapulco in Guerrero. More than 2,000 temporary shelters have been organized to accommodate evacuees, and President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents in vulnerable areas to seek safety in designated emergency shelters.

Prior to the storm’s arrival, local communities prepared for the worst. In Lagunas de Chacahua, over 100 residents were relocated to schools, and flooding reported in Salina Cruz left many vehicles stranded. The police in the area are actively clearing roads of debris to maintain safe passage for residents.

Businesses have taken precautions, as many boarded up windows and doors, while tourists have been advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Schools closed for an additional day in parts of Oaxaca as a precautionary measure against the storm.

Erick has rapidly intensified, boasting winds capable of altering landscapes by uprooting trees and damaging properties. Authorities are on high alert, closely monitoring water levels in local dams and rivers to warn against potential flash floods.

This storm marks the fifth named storm to emerge in the Eastern Pacific this season, which runs through November 30. Last year's catastrophic Hurricane Otis, which resulted in over 50 fatalities and significant damage to Acapulco, remains a vivid memory for the region as it braces for another storm.

(Originally published by Diana Manzo and John Yoon)