Hurricane Erick struck Mexico’s Pacific Coast on Thursday morning, potentially bringing “life-threatening flooding and mudslides” to Oaxaca, according to the NHC.
The storm weakened from a Category 4 to a Category 3 hurricane upon landfall, with top sustained winds around 125 mph. The hurricane’s center is forecast to move across southern Mexico today, bringing 8 to 12 inches of rain to Oaxaca and Guerrero. The NHS warns of possible life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in hilly areas. A dangerous storm surge could also cause coastal flooding near and east of where the storm makes landfall.
A hurricane warning is in effect from Acapulco to Puerto Angel, a region still recovering from the devastating Category 5 Hurricane Otis, which hit near Acapulco in October 2023 and resulted in 52 deaths. A hurricane watch, indicating that hurricane conditions are possible but not expected, is in place west of Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana. The hurricane is predicted to weaken quickly over Mexico’s mountains, dissipating by Thursday night or early Friday.
Erick is the first major hurricane of the year. Hurricane season officially begins in June and typically lasts until the end of November. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts an “above-normal” hurricane season for the U.S.
The storm system raised concerns after its strength doubled rapidly. Rapid intensification, defined as maximum winds increasing by at least 35 mph in 24 hours, is linked to climate change and complicates accurate storm impact forecasting. Last hurricane season, the NHC observed 34 instances of rapid intensification—nearly twice the average of the previous 10 years.
“`