Mexico: Southern Pacific Coast Braces for Hurricane Erick

Several states on Mexico’s southern Pacific Coast are bracing for Hurricane Erick to make landfall as a Category 3 storm early Thursday morning June 19. Authorities are warning of powerful winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous and life-threatening storm surges and ocean swells. Erick is already the fifth named storm to form in the Eastern Pacific this year.

Published 1 day ago

National Hurricane Center Advisory for Hurricane Erick

Hurricane Erick is Rapidly Strengthening

The National Hurricane Center Advisory (NHC) said Erick is rapidly strengthening and given the extremely favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions along the storm’s forecast track, further intensification in the short  term appears very likely.

“Erick continues to rapidly intensify and is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the coast of western Oaxaca or eastern Guerrero within the hurricane warning area late tonight or
early Thursday. Devastating wind damage is possible where the core of the storm moves onshore. Weather conditions are already  deteriorating, and preparations to protect life and property should
be rushed to completion before sunset,” said the NHC.

Tropical Storm Force Winds from Hurricane Erick. Image from National Hurricane Center website.

Current Location:  The advisory from the NHC said Erick was located approximately 265 miles southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico.  The storm is tracking west-northwest and is expected to continue in that direction.

Intensity: Erick currently boasts maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Forecasters say Erick could strengthen more than forecast.

Warnings and Watches for Coastal Areas:

  • Hurricane Warning: In effect for the coastal stretch from Puerto Angel to Punta Maldonado.
  • Hurricane Watch: Issued for areas west of Punta Maldonado to Acapulco, and east of Puerto Angel to Bahias de Huatulco.
  • Tropical Storm Warning: In effect for coastal areas east of Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz.

Hazards for Mariners:

  • Dangerous Storm Surge: Expect significant coastal flooding in areas near and to the east of where the storm’s center makes landfall. This will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
  • Life-Threatening Surf and Rip Currents: Swells generated by Erick are projected to create extremely hazardous surf and rip current conditions along the entire coast of southern Mexico.

Sailors in these areas should exercise extreme caution, closely monitor updated advisories from the National Hurricane Center and take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their vessels and crew.

Mexico’s southern Pacific Coast was badly hit in 2023 by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that devastated Acapulco, sinking yachts, fishing boats and tourist vessels and smashing hotels and homes. More than 50 people were killed after it rapidly intensified into a monster storm with winds of 165 miles per hour.

Erick is the fifth named storm to form in the Eastern Pacific this year. The Pacific hurricane season, like the Atlantic hurricane season, runs from June 1 until November 30.

For the latest updates, refer to the official National Hurricane Center advisories: NHC Advisory for Tropical Storm Erick.

Satellite image of Hurricane Erick from the NHC website.

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