Hurricane Erick escalates to Category 4, puts Mexico’s coast on high alert Por Maria
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Hurricane Erick, escalating to a Category 4 storm, made landfall on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on the morning of June 19, 2025, packing winds up to 230 km/h and torrential rains. Initially located 255 km from Puerto Ángel in Oaxaca, the storm rapidly intensified, endangering Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas with severe flooding and landslides. Mexican authorities, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, mobilized around 2,000 shelters and urged residents to stay indoors or seek refuge. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of “potentially catastrophic effects,” forecasting up to 51 cm of rain. As the first hurricane to strike Mexico in the 2025 season, which runs from May to November, Erick underscores the region’s exposure to extreme weather events.
Starting as a tropical storm on June 17, Erick reached Category 2 within 24 hours and peaked at Category 4 before landfall. Ports, airports, and schools shut down, while residents fortified homes and removed boats from the sea.
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The Mexican government activated contingency plans, with military and power crews on standby to address damages.
- Key facts about Erick:
- Maximum winds of 39 km/h at Category 3.
- Initially 255 km from Puerto Ángel.
- Up to 51 cm of rain forecast for Oaxaca and Guerrero.
- First hurricane of Mexico’s 2025 season.
Rapid strengthening of the storm
Erick formed as a tropical storm on June 17, 430 km from Puerto Ángel, with 85 km/h winds. Within a day, it reached Category 2 status with 120 km/h winds, fueled by warm Pacific waters, and hit Category 4 by early June 19. The U.S. National Hurricane Center noted favorable conditions, like high sea temperatures, drove its rapid intensification.
Mexico’s civil protection agency predicted Erick could reach Category 3 or 4 before landfall, a forecast confirmed as winds hit 195 km/h on June 18, climbing to 230 km/h hours later. Moving northwest at 15 km/h, the storm accelerated toward the coast between Oaxaca and Guerrero.
The “catastrophic effects” warning was echoed by Mexico’s National Meteorological Service, which tracked Erick from its inception. Its rapid strengthening, akin to 2023’s Hurricane Otis, highlights the region’s vulnerability to increasingly powerful cyclones.
Emergency measures in Mexico
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents to stay indoors and seek shelters in high-risk areas near rivers or slopes. Approximately 2,000 temporary shelters were set up in Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, the states most threatened by heavy rains.
Laura Velázquez, national civil protection coordinator, reported preventive patrols using loudspeakers and social media to warn communities. Military personnel and Federal Electricity Commission teams were deployed to address power outages and infrastructure damage. Ports like Acapulco halted operations, and regional airports closed temporarily.
- Contingency actions:
- Deployment of hundreds of military and power crews.
- Closure of ports, airports, and schools in affected states.
- Setup of 2,000 shelters for at-risk residents.
- Alerts via social media and loudspeakers in communities.
Affected areas and local preparations
Coastal towns like Puerto Escondido and Puerto Ángel faced initial impacts on June 18 evening, with heavy rains and winds toppling trees. In Acapulco, residents stockpiled food, water, and fuel, fearing shortages, while businesses boarded up windows.
Fishermen, such as 55-year-old Adalberto Ruiz, pulled boats ashore to avoid losses. Low-income mountain communities with fragile homes were urged to evacuate. School closures and suspension of non-essential activities aimed to keep people safe during the storm’s passage.
Mexico’s southern region, long prone to cyclones, drew on lessons from recent storms like Otis and John, which wreaked havoc in 2023 and 2024.
Mexico’s hurricane history
Mexico faces cyclones yearly from May to November, with peak activity along its Pacific and Atlantic coasts. In October 2023, Category 5 Hurricane Otis devastated Acapulco, killing 50 and leaving 30 missing. In September 2024, Category 3 Hurricane John struck the same area twice, claiming 15 lives.
Erick, 2025’s first hurricane, reinforces a trend of intense Pacific storms. Mexico’s National Meteorological Service projects up to 37 tropical systems this season, with at least five expected to impact the country.
Flood and landslide risks
The National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening flash floods in Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas, with up to 51 cm of rain forecast. Mountainous areas with steep terrain face heightened landslide risks, particularly in rural communities.
Lesser but significant rains were expected in Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Storm surges and high waves threatened coastal zones, while preventive power cuts were enacted to safeguard the electrical grid.
- Major threats from Erick:
- Floods with up to 51 cm of rain in coastal areas.
- Landslides in mountainous regions.
- Storm surges and high waves at ports.
- Potential power outages and infrastructure damage.
Mexican authorities’ response
The government ramped up communication, using social media and direct alerts to keep residents informed. President Sheinbaum stressed following official guidance, while the civil protection agency coordinated preventive evacuations in vulnerable areas.
Resources were mobilized, including supplies for shelters and rescue teams on standby. Lessons from past storms like Otis shaped the response, prioritizing vulnerable communities and minimizing loss of life.
Initial reported impacts
On June 18 evening, Puerto Escondido saw heavy rains and winds that damaged palms and light structures. Preventive blackouts hit parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero, and local businesses closed early.
Residents noted better organization compared to past storms, but fear of destruction lingered, especially in Acapulco, still recovering from 2023 and 2024 damages. Erick’s inland path over mountain ranges is expected to weaken it quickly, though coastal impacts remain severe.
Forecast for coming hours
After landfall on June 19 morning, Erick is expected to lose strength crossing southern Mexico’s mountains, but heavy rains will persist through Friday. The National Hurricane Center predicts dissipation within 48 hours, leaving floods and infrastructure damage in its wake.
Authorities warned of overflowing rivers and blocked roads due to landslides. Emergency teams are on alert for calls from isolated areas, and residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
Lessons from past events
The devastation of Otis and John underscored the need for robust preparation in Mexico. Erick’s rapid intensification, mirroring Otis, highlights climate change’s role in fueling stronger hurricanes.
The government has invested in early warning systems and rescue training, but low-income communities remain at risk due to substandard housing. The 2025 season, potentially bringing 37 cyclones, demands ongoing vigilance from authorities and residents.
