Erick upgraded to an 'extremely dangerous' Category 4 hurricane, US
forecasters say
[June 19, 2025]
By LUIS ALBERTO CRUZ and FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ
PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico (AP) — Southern Mexico’s Pacific coast was
braced for a Thursday morning impact with the approach of Hurricane
Erick, which was upgraded to an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 early
Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
The major storm threatens to unleash destructive winds near where the
eye crashes ashore, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge,
forecasters said.
The Miami-based center reported Erick was about 70 miles (110
kilometers) west-southwest of Puerto Angel, Mexico, and about 90 miles
(145 kilometers) southeast of Punta Maldonado, Mexico. The storm had
maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph) and was moving northwest at
9 mph (15 kph).
A hurricane is defined as Category 4 when wind speeds reach 130-156 mph
(209-251 kph).
Storm moves south on approach
Late Wednesday, Erick's projected path crept south, closer to the resort
city of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca state, and centered on a sparsely
populated stretch of coastline between the Oaxacan resort and Acapulco
to the northwest.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a video message Wednesday night that
all activities in the region were suspended and she urged people to stay
in their homes or to move to shelters if they lived in low-lying areas.
Waves were crashing onto the esplanade in Puerto Escondido by nightfall,
swamping wooden fishing boats that had been pulled up there for safety.
The beach disappeared under pounding waves and the rising tide had
already reached the interiors of some waterfront restaurants.
Last-minute purchases ended at nightfall as stores closed and the
streets emptied.
Earlier in the day, fishermen in Puerto Escondido pulled their boats out
of the water ahead of the storm's arrival. Some surfers continued to
ride waves at the Zicatela beach, even with red flags up to warn people
to stay out of the water.
The storm's course shift could be welcome relief for residents of
storm-battered Acapulco.
The city of nearly 1 million was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane
Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that rapidly intensified and caught many
unprepared. At least 52 people died in Otis and the storm severely
damaged almost all of the resort’s hotels.
Acapulco still scarred by Otis
Acapulco residents said they were bracing for Erick’s arrival with more
preparation and trepidation because of the memory of the devastation
wrought by Hurricane Otis two years earlier.
Guerrero state Gov. Evelyn Salgado said via X that all movement in
Acapulco and other beach communities was to be suspended at 8 p.m.
Schools across the state were to remain closed for a second day
Thursday.
Carlos Ozuna Romero, 51, lost his restaurant at the edge of an Acapulco
beach when Otis slammed the resort with devastating winds. On Wednesday,
he directed workers storing tables and chairs.
“Authorities’ warnings fill us with fear and obviously make us remember
everything we’ve already been through,” Ozuna Romero said in reference
to Otis.
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Workers board up a storefront as they prepare for the arrival of
Hurricane Erick, in Acapulco, Mexico, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP
Photo/Fernando Llano)
Elsewhere, workers nailed sheets of plywood over shop windows and
stacked sandbags outside doorways. Cars lined up to fill their tanks
and shoppers made last-minute purchases before rushing home.
Verónica Gómez struggled through the streets of Acapulco with a
large jug of water. “We’re all afraid because we think the same
thing could happen,” said the 40-year-old employee of a shipping
company.
But she said she and others learned a lot from Otis. “Now it’s not
going to catch us by surprise," she said, holding out a bag of
canned food as evidence.
In Acapulco on Wednesday, there was a strong presence of National
Guard and police in the streets, but most visible were trucks from
the national power company. Crews worked to clear drainage canals
and brush.
Rain could be Erick's legacy
Forecasters said Erick was expected to lash Mexico’s Pacific coast
with heavy rain, strong winds and a fierce storm surge. Rains of up
to 16 inches (40 centimeters) could fall across the Mexican states
of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lesser totals in Chiapas, Michoacan,
Colima and Jalisco states, the center’s advisory said. The rainfall
threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep
terrain.
A hurricane warning was in effect from Acapulco to Puerto Ángel. A
hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the
area, and preparations to protect life and property should be rushed
to completion, according to the hurricane center advisory.
Laura Velázquez, Mexico’s national civil defense coordinator, said
Erick was forecast to bring “torrential” rains to Guerrero, Oaxaca
and Chiapas in southern Mexico. The mountainous region along the
coast is especially prone to mudslides with numerous rivers at risk
of flooding.
Guerrero Gov. Evelyn Salgado said all schools would remain closed
and the state had alerted all of the fishing and tourism operators
to make their boats storm-ready. Acapulco’s port closed Tuesday
evening. Salgado said 582 shelters were set to receive people who
might evacuate their homes.
Sheinbaum warned in her daily briefing that those in the hurricane’s
path should heed government instructions and wait out the storm in
their homes or designated shelters.
Erick quickly doubled in strength
Having doubled in strength in less than a day, Erick was churning
through an ideal environment for quick intensification. Last year,
there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification — when a storm
gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours — which is about twice as many as
average and causes problems with forecasting, according to the
hurricane center.
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Sánchez reported from Acapulco, Mexico.
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