Erick is expected to rapidly intensify and reach major hurricane strength as it approaches Mexico’s coast.
Hurricane Erick is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds, storm surge and possible mudslides to southern coastal Mexico, the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said, causing potential “life-threatening flooding and mudslides.”
Initially a tropical storm, Erick grew into a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday, packing maximum sustained winds of 155km/h (100 mph), the meteorological centre said. It was located 165km (105 miles) from the town of Puerto Angel in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca.
“Rapid strengthening is expected today, and Erick may reach major hurricane strength when it approaches the coast of southern Mexico Thursday,” the NHC said.
A major hurricane is defined as Category 3 or higher and wind speeds of at least 180km/h (111 mph).
Forecasts predicted rainfall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, as well as less heavy rains for the states of Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.
A hurricane warning was in effect from Acapulco to Puerto Angel. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the area, and preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, according to the hurricane centre advisory.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged the population to be alert. She warned residents in the hurricane’s path to listen for government instructions and to wait it out in their homes or government shelters.
Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said all schools were closed and the state had alerted all of the fishing and tourism operators of the risk of the coming storm and recommended they prepare their boats.
She said 582 shelters were prepared to receive people who might evacuate their homes.
The storm’s projected path would take its centre near the renowned resort of Acapulco, which was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that left a trail of destruction and killed at least 52 people.
One of the criticisms of the government’s handling of Otis was that authorities did not give sufficient warning about the threat posed by the rapidly intensifying storm.
John, a Category 3 storm that hit in September last year, caused about 15 deaths.
