Hurricane Erick Slams into Mexico, Bringing 'All Kinds of Threats'
Tropical Storm Erick swiftly strengthens, threatening Mexican shoreline with impending hurricane force winds
Hurricane expert Bryan Norcross breaks down the looming dangers of Hurricane Erick, with Mexico bracing for a Category 3 storm expected to hit parts of its southwestern Pacific coast.
Hurricane Erick barreled towards Mexico on Wednesday, set to become a major hurricane with destructive wind gusts, intense flooding, and hazardous landslides marijuana in its path.
As of now, Hurricane Erick is located approximately 85 miles south-southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico, showing rapid intensification according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3, 4, or 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Erick is currently a Category 2 hurricane, packing 110 mph sustained winds, on the brink of transforming into a full-blown Category 3 storm.
Among the foreseen doom is life-threatening flooding and perilous wind gusts that could affect southern Mexico beginning late on Wednesday night and extending through Thursday.
7 FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT HURRICANES 🌪️
Precipitating Rapid Intensification
Erick is the fifth tropical storm to manifest this year's Eastern Pacific hurricane season and is poised to become the first named storm in either the Atlantic or Pacific basins to make landfall.
Hurricane Erick's rapid intensification is in full swing, with the NHC projecting the storm intensifying to major hurricane status, potentially spiraling into super typhoon territory, by late Wednesday night and further fortifying overnight[1][3]. Rapid intensification bridges the gap when a tropical cyclone's maximum sustained winds jump by 35 mph in no more than 24 hours[2].
ian jordan, Getty Images shows NOAA satellite imagery that reveals a clearly visible eye forming within rapidly intensifying Hurricane Erick.
(NOAA / NOAA)
Prior to hitting shore on Wednesday night or potentially remaining coastal on Thursday, the storm is projected to approach the Mexican mainland[1].
Storm-Scale Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Explanation 🌪️ 🌬️
As Hurricane Erick draws closer to Mexico, the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron's Hurricane Hunters took flight on their first mission of the season, collecting valuable data for the National Hurricane Center.
Life-threatening flash flooding looms along Southern Coast of Mexico ☔️ 🌊
An array of weather alerts was issued by Mexico's government, which encompasses a broad Hurricane Warning encompassing Puerto Angel to Acapulco, as well as additional tropical weather alerts in regions both to the north and south of the expected landfall location along Mexico's southern coast[3].
The NHC also flagged the likelihood of storm surge engendering deadly coastal flooding as soon as Wednesday night, along with the presence of hazardous swells and rip currents[3].
The Mexican government-owned electric company, CFE Nacional, is on high alert, prepared to respond to power outages resulting from Hurricane Erick in Oaxaca and Guerrero[3].
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, President of Mexico, aired a plea on X on Tuesday, urging citizens to remain vigilant and abreast of the latest storm conditions and alerts as Hurricane Erick marches ashore[3].
"Brace for catastrophic winds, life-threatening flooding, and potentially deadly mudslides," wrote the NHC in a morning advisory, related to areas within the Hurricane Watch[3].
Flooding Haze ☔️ 🌊
The NHC anticipates around 8 to 16 inches of rainfall in the affected states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with isolated pockets witnessing up to 20 inches of rain in the hardest-hit zones[4].
Outside these states, moderate, but still significant, rain totals (2 to 4 inches) are expected to materialize in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco; rainfall that could further ignite flooding hazards in these regions[4].
According to scientific researchers, floods are the deadliest hazard associated with hurricanes[2]. Torrential rains are anticipated to cause perilous flooding, especially inquisitive terrain and doubly overflowing river basins[1][4].
Mudslides and Rockslides 🌱 🌋
Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas are regions in Mexico known for their vulnerable mountainous terrain, increasingly susceptible to mudslides and rockslides instigated by Torrential rainfall from Hurricane Erick. During flooding events, several rivers are at risk of flooding, amplifying the likelihood of such devastating landslides in hillside communities[1][4].
Officials issued dire warnings of life-threatening mudslides and opened hundreds of shelters to accommodate evacuees[3][4].
Extra precautions planned ⚙️ 🔒
Security measures have been set in place, with ports such as Acapulco being closed, flights suspended, and hundreds of shelters opening as insurance against the approaching hurricane[3][4].
Authorities are emphasizing the importance of adhering to evacuation orders and sheltering in place to lessen impending risks[3][4].
In summary, Hurricane Erick is projected to wreak havoc in Mexico with destructive winds, incredibly heavy rain causing deadly flash flooding, and risky mudslides in vulnerable mountainous areas, posing life-threatening conditions especially across the southwestern Pacific coast states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas.
- The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Hurricane Erick, currently located in Mexico, to intensify into a major hurricane, possibly a Category 3 storm, by late Wednesday night.
- As Hurricane Erick approaches the Mexican mainland, the weather forecast indicates that it will bring not only destructive winds but also life-threatening flash flooding, dangerous storm surge, and mudslides in the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas.
