Hurricane Erick Bears Down on Southern Mexico as Category 3 Storm

Source: National Hurricane Center  All times on the map are Mexico Central Time.  Map shows probabilities of at least 5 percent. The forecast is for up to five days, with that time span starting up to three hours before the reported time that the storm reaches its latest location. Wind speed probability data is not available north of 60.25 degrees north latitude.

As of Wednesday night, the storm was located approximately 184 miles east-southeast of Acapulco, with maximum sustained winds reaching 145 miles per hour. Moving northwest at 9 mph, Erick is expected to make landfall near the border of Oaxaca and Guerrero early Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the nation in a press conference, urging caution and preparedness.

“We ask people to remain indoors, stay updated through official channels, and avoid rivers or coastal areas,” she said. “If you live in low-lying zones, it is critical that you move to one of the shelters we’ve opened across the region.”

Over 2,000 temporary shelters have been activated, and emergency response teams are on standby. The government has also restricted all maritime activities along the southern Pacific coastline, warning that sea conditions are too dangerous for navigation.

Meteorologists warn that Erick’s wind speeds are powerful enough to uproot trees, damage buildings, and knock out power lines. Flash floods and landslides remain major concerns, particularly in mountainous and river-adjacent areas.

Communities from Puerto Ángel to Punta Maldonado are expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Touristic hotspots such as Bahías de Huatulco and Acapulco are also preparing for strong hurricane-force winds and potential infrastructure damage.

This comes less than two years after Hurricane Otis ravaged the region as a Category 5 storm in 2023, killing over 50 people and leaving a trail of destruction in Acapulco. Many fear a repeat of the catastrophe, prompting rapid government response.

Erick is the fifth named storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which continues through November. Experts have forecasted an above-average storm season this year due to warmer ocean temperatures and shifting weather patterns.

Authorities continue to urge the public to take the storm seriously. “Don’t wait until the last moment,” warned Civil Protection officials. “Your safety and your family’s safety must come first.”

Updates will be issued regularly as Hurricane Erick nears landfall.