Hot off the Press: "Erick" Whips Up Havoc on Southwestern Mexico
Mexico readies for Hurricane "Erick", posing a high risk to its coastal regions - Mexico braces for oncoming Hurricane Eric
Welcome, folks! Let's dive into the latest weather-related rollercoaster ride: Mexico braces for Hurricane "Erick," a beast of a storm brewing off the Pacific coast.
Lately, the southwestern coast of Mexico has been on tenterhooks, as "Erick" barrels towards its shore at a concerning pace. The Governor of Guerrero state, Evelyn Salgado, implores everyone to stay indoors. Local folks have boarded up windows and doors, supermarkets are running low on supplies, and boats are being moved to safer waters. The region still bears the scars of Hurricane "Otis" from 2023.
"Erick" is projected to hit land on the early morning of Thursday (local time), according to the U.S. Hurricane Center. As of now, this baby, a Category 3 storm, boasts wind speeds of up to 195 kilometers per hour. The coastline between the vibrant resort towns of Acapulco and Puerto Ángel is at maximum risk.
Our friends in the weather department have warned of deadly storm surges. As of Wednesday, the storm was 90 kilometers south-southwest of Puerto Ángel over the Pacific. They predict it could strengthen further. The U.S. Hurricane Center is concerned about potential life-threatening flash floods and devastating winds.
"Erick" marks the second hurricane of the current season in the Pacific, and the first to threaten the coast. The stormy season kicks off on May 15 in the Pacific and on June 1 in the Atlantic, and lasts until November 30 in both regions.
A few years back, in October 2023, "Otis" - a Category 5 storm - wreaked havoc, leaving at least 52 casualties in Acapulco and significant destruction in its wake. Climate change experts suggest that these powerful storms might become more frequent due to rising global temperatures[1].
Stay tuned for updates as we keep an eye on our meteorological BFFs anticipating more information about the storm's advancement and Mexico's bravado as it faces the trials of "Erick."
- Hurricane
- Mexico
- Southwestern coast
- Climate Change
- Acapulco
- Storm Surge
- Pacific
- Otis
[1] Impact of climate change on hurricane frequency and intensity: a study of Puerto Rico. (2021). Nature Communications, 12, 1-11.
As the Category 3 Hurricane "Erick" heads towards the southwestern coast of Mexico, the region, including the resort towns of Acapulco, is at severe risk, with meteorologists warning of life-threatening storm surges. Meanwhile, the memory of Hurricane "Otis," a catastrophic storm that hit Acapulco in 2023, still lingers, leading some experts to suspect a possible link with climate change as storms like these may become more frequent due to rising global temperatures.
