Cleanup Begins as Hurricane Erick Moves on from Mexican Coast
Hurricane Erick struck southern Mexico as a Category 3 storm, causing flooding and power outages, but no casualties were reported. Cleanup operations are in full swing, with government support in affected areas. Continuing warnings for flooding and high winds remain in effect as the hurricane weakens.
Cleanup efforts are underway in southern Mexico following the departure of Hurricane Erick, which made landfall as a formidable Category 3 storm. The hurricane struck the Pacific coast and subsequently weakened while moving inland on Thursday. In Puerto Escondido, a popular tourist town in Oaxaca, locals and emergency teams flooded streets and removed debris, dealing with downed trees and buried boats. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported in the region.
Approximately 30,000 residents faced widespread power outages and disrupted cellphone service due to Erick’s severe impact. Luis Alberto Gil, a merchant in Puerto Escondido, remarked that the water had “never hit with this magnitude.” In response, the government has mobilized hundreds of troops and electricity workers to assist with the recovery process.
The storm, which weakens to a Category 1 hurricane, has prompted the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue warnings for continued flooding and high winds as Erick tracks north. The maximum sustained winds recorded in Oaxaca reached 125 miles per hour initially, slowing later on but raising concerns about life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
An alert remains active in southern states, specifically Oaxaca and Guerrero, where wind gusts persisted for hours. Schools, airports, and ports—including those in Acapulco—were temporarily closed as precautionary measures. Additionally, the states of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco also experienced rainfall due to the storm.
According to the NHC’s latest advisories, continued weakening of the storm is expected, with a likely dissipation occurring that evening. Mexico’s civil protection agency reported material damage without any confirmed fatalities, and further evaluations will be conducted as soon as conditions permit.
Historically, Mexico faces significant storms annually, typically from May through November across the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Just last month, Hurricane Otis devastated Acapulco, leaving dozens dead, while Hurricane John caused casualties in September of last year. President Claudia Sheinbaum cautioned the public to stay indoors, especially those in vulnerable areas. 2,000 shelters were arranged in anticipation of potential storm effects across Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.
Residents in Puerto Escondido were resilient but many establishments remained closed despite some tourists choosing to ride out the storm. Meanwhile, about 250 miles north in Acapulco, a major resort city, businesses were closed and streets largely deserted as locals dutifully prepared for the hurricane’s wrath after thoroughly stocking up on essentials the previous day.
Hurricane Erick has left southern Mexico with a significant cleanup burden, but thankfully no deaths have been reported. The storm’s impact, however, did disrupt lives, with extensive flooding and outages in Puerto Escondido and beyond. Government officials and local authorities are on-site to assist in recovery efforts and ensure safety. This incident serves as a reminder of the key challenges Mexico faces each hurricane season.
Original Source: www.kpvi.com
