Hurricane Erick Intensifies to Category 4, Threatens Mexico

Hurricane Erick has surged into an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm, heading towards Mexico’s Pacific coast, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The storm’s winds intensified to 230 km/h (145 mph) late Wednesday local time, and further strengthening is possible.

Forecasters predict landfall later on Thursday, with the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero expected to experience “devastating wind damage,” as warned by the NHC.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged those in the storm’s trajectory to “stay informed through official sources, remain indoors, and avoid going outside.”

A hurricane warning covers a 500 km (300-mile) stretch of the Pacific coast, extending from the resort city of Acapulco to Puerto Ángel.

Residents of Guerrero and Oaxaca have been alerted to possible life-threatening floods and large swells.

“If you are in low-lying areas, near rivers or waterways, it is advisable to move to the shelters that have been prepared for this scenario,” advised President Sheinbaum.

Those residing in mountainous regions are cautioned to watch for potential mudslides.

Approximately 2,000 shelters have been established throughout Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, with over 18,000 first responders deployed to brace for the hurricane.

This storm is poised to be the first to hit Mexico’s shores this season, which spans from early June to late November.

In October 2023, Hurricane Otis—a Category 5 storm—claimed at least 50 lives as it ravaged Acapulco.

Otis’s rapid intensification left many unprepared for its landfall, underscoring the unpredictable nature of such storms.