Tropical Storm Erick is strengthening, heading towards Oaxaca region
Hurricane Erick, the fifth named storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, made landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast as a Category 3 hurricane, causing significant impacts on southern Mexico.
The hurricane's rapid intensification challenged preparedness and response efforts in the affected regions, resulting in at least $250 million in damage and 24 fatalities in southwestern Mexico.
The potential impacts of Hurricane Erick included severe property damage, flooding and landslides, loss of life and injuries, disruption to infrastructure and local communities, and economic losses.
Many trees in the affected area may have been snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water services may have been unavailable for several days to weeks after Hurricane Erick passes.
Well-built framed homes may have incurred major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Hurricane-force winds extend 25 miles from Hurricane Erick's center, and categories 4 and 5 of the hurricane have the potential to cause catastrophic damage.
The National Hurricane Center advises that preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion within the hurricane warning area. A hurricane warning has been issued from Acapulco to Puerto Angel, and a tropical storm warning is in effect for east of Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz and west of Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana.
As of 5 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, Hurricane Erick had upgraded to a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of nearly 110 mph. The Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale does not fully account for the potential impacts of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes. Hurricane Erick is expected to bring potentially destructive winds and life-threatening flash floods to portions of southern Mexico late tonight and Thursday.
Sources: [1] Associated Press. (2025). Hurricane Erick leaves 24 dead, $250 million in damage in Mexico. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/hurricane-erick-mexico-pacific-coast-storm-deaths-damage-e3c304521c289c8e7a4e5dfd3001c0bd [2] National Hurricane Center. (2025). Hurricane Erick. Retrieved from https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2025/ERICK/index.shtml
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