Hurricane Erick hurtles over Mexico’s Pacific coast, set to make landfall within hours

MEXICO CITY – Hurricane Erick was advancing rapidly near Mexico’s southern Pacific coast as a Category 4 storm and was expected to make landfall on June 19, the authorities said, potentially bringing intense rain and life-threatening floods and mudslides.

The storm, about 85km south-east of Punta Maldonado in the Mexican state of Guerrero, packed maximum sustained winds 220kmh that could be “extremely destructive” near its core, the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said in a report early on June 19.

With no certainty on where Erick would make landfall, a hurricane warning was in effect between the tourist areas of Acapulco and Puerto Angel.

Scientists have warned that Erick could become the most intense hurricane along Mexico’s Pacific coast this early in the season.

“The hurricane is expected to impact during Thursday morning as a powerful Category 4 hurricane between Lagunas de Cha-cha, Oaxaca and Punta Maldonado, Guerrero,” the Mexican Ministry Of Environment said in a statement.

Up to 41cm of rain is expected to hit the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to NHC.

Threats to residents

“Heavy rainfall will lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” NHC warned, as local authorities asked residents to remain vigilant.

Mexico’s national water commission, Conagua, gave a similar warning, adding that waves in coastal areas were reaching up to 10m high.

Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara, in a post on social media platform X, urged residents to follow the authorities’ recommendations and said shelters were available for those in areas at risk.

Mexican authorities have also been coordinating evacuation efforts for tourists in beach destinations, including Acapulco. REUTERS