Hurricane Erick Makes Landfall in Mexico as Category 3 Storm

Hurricane Erick made landfall early this morning as a powerful Category 3 storm along Mexico’s southern coast.

Hurricane Erick was at Category 1 and rapidly developed to a Category 3 by nightfall on Wednesday.

Erick came ashore near Punta Maldonado in western Oaxaca with sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and stronger gusts. The storm had briefly reached Category 4 status before weakening slightly ahead of landfall.
According to Mexico’s national weather agency, torrential rains of up to 250 mm are forecast across Oaxaca and Guerrero, with intense rain also expected in Chiapas, Puebla, and Veracruz.

Strong winds and waves up to 10 metres are pounding coastal areas, and a storm surge of up to 3.5 metres could cause significant flooding.

Erick is expected to weaken rapidly over mountainous terrain and could dissipate by early Friday. Meanwhile, the threat of flash flooding, landslides, and overflowing rivers remains high.
Hurricane warnings remain in effect from Acapulco to Puerto Ángel.

Meanwhile, the NHC is monitoring a separate low-pressure system forming near the same region. While development is unlikely in the next 48 hours, conditions may gradually become more favourable as it moves west-northwest along the coasts of southern Mexico once more. The chance of formation over the next seven days remains low at 20%.