Hurricane Erick is expected to strengthen rapidly into a major Category 3 storm, before making landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast on Thursday, Mexico's civil protection agency has said. The storm, already a Category 2 hurricane, is likely to bring "potentially destructive winds and life-threatening flash floods" to parts of southern Mexico, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Maximum sustained winds in the storm had risen to 175km/h (110mph) by Wednesday afternoon local time, with conditions favourable for it to intensify. Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum told people in the storm's path to "stay tuned to official communications, to stay indoors, and not go out". Category 3 storms and above are considered major hurricanes, and pack wind speeds of at least 180km/h (111mph). Erick is likely to make landfall between the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, the head of Mexico's civil protection agency Laura Velazquez said, with at least 50cm (20 inches) of rain expected to fall. Mudslides are a risk in areas with steep terrain. Around 2,000 shelters have been set up across the Mexican states of Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, all on the country's southern Pacific coast. "If you are in low-lying areas, near rivers, near waterways, it is best for you to go to shelters, to the shelters that have already been set up for this situation," Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said. More than 18,000 first responders have been mobilised to prepare for the hurricane. It is expected to be the first to make landfall in Mexico this season, which runs from the start of June to the end of November. The hurricane's impact was expected to be greatest on the Mexican coastline between Puerto Ángel, in Oaxaca, and Punta Maldonado, in Guerrero, authorities said. In October 2023, at least50 people were killedin Mexico during Hurricane Otis, a category 5 hurricane that battered Acapulco, also on Guerrero's Pacific coast. Otis intensified rapidly, meaning many people were unprepared when the hurricane made landfall.
Hurricane Erick threatening Mexico as it strengthens
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Hurricane Erick Strengthens to Category 3, Set to Impact Mexico's Pacific Coast"
Bbc News
8.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Hurricane Erick is rapidly intensifying and is expected to become a major Category 3 storm before making landfall along Mexico's Pacific coast on Thursday. Currently classified as a Category 2 hurricane, Erick has already reached maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph) as of Wednesday afternoon. The US National Hurricane Center warns that the storm poses a significant threat, bringing potentially destructive winds and life-threatening flash floods to southern Mexico. Officials anticipate that the hurricane will make landfall between the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with estimates of rainfall reaching up to 50 cm (20 inches), raising concerns about mudslides in steep terrain. In response to the impending storm, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged residents in the storm's path to stay informed through official communications and to remain indoors for safety.
In preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Erick, authorities have mobilized over 18,000 first responders and established approximately 2,000 shelters across the affected regions, including Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. The Mexican government is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens, particularly those living in low-lying areas or near waterways, who are advised to seek shelter. This year's hurricane season, which runs from June to November, is already proving to be impactful, especially after the devastation caused by Hurricane Otis in October 2023, which resulted in over 50 fatalities in Acapulco, Guerrero. As Erick approaches, the focus remains on minimizing the potential damage and protecting lives along the vulnerable coastline between Puerto Ángel and Punta Maldonado.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.