Hurricane Erick hits Mexico's coast and weakens to Category One
Overnight, storm Erick intensified to Category 4 and struck southern Mexico at dawn; it has now weakened to Category 1 but brings heavy rains, storm surge, and landslide risks.
nhc.noaa.gov
MEXICO, June 19. Hurricane Erick, which intensified overnight from a tropical storm to a dangerous Category 4, made landfall near Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca) at 5:30 a.m. as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of around 200 km/h, according to the Washington Post.
A few hours later, wind speeds dropped to 137 km/h, but according to Reuters, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns of ongoing risks: up to 500 mm of rainfall, waves up to 10 meters, and deadly landslides.
Mexico’s Civil Protection Agency reported that 120,000 households lost electricity and two hospitals were damaged. Military units are clearing beaches where boats were washed ashore.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum thanked residents of Oaxaca and Guerrero for their responsible response to the approaching hurricane Erick.
According to her, thanks to compliance with safety instructions and timely evacuation, no casualties were reported. “Mexico is an example of effective disaster prevention,” she emphasized in a live broadcast.
Sheinbaum also noted that despite the difficult circumstances, the country’s economic situation remains stable: the Mexican peso is trading at 19.07 per U.S. dollar, and rising sales in self-service stores indicate the strength of the domestic market.
Government agencies continue to monitor the hurricane’s impact while maintaining a state of heightened alert.