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Hurricane Erick threatens Mexico as Category 2 storm strengthens Hurricane Erick 'extremely dangerous' as it nears Mexico
(about 7 hours later)
People secure boats on a beach in Acapulco, Mexico as Hurricane Erick approachesPeople secure boats on a beach in Acapulco, Mexico as Hurricane Erick approaches
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. Hurricane Erick has strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm, as it heads towards Mexico's Pacific coast, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.
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 230km/h (145mph) late on Wednesday local time, with some additional strengthening possible.
Maximum sustained winds in the storm had risen to 175km/h (110mph) by Wednesday afternoon local time, with conditions favourable for it to intensify. Forecasters expect it to make landfall later on Thursday with the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero state most likely to be impacted by what the NHC says could be "devastating wind damage".
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum told people in the storm's path to "stay tuned to official communications, to stay indoors, and not go out". Mexican 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). A hurricane warning is in effect for a 500km-strech (300 miles) of Pacific coast, from the resort town of Acapulco to Puerto Ángel.
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. Residents in Guerrero and Oaxaca have been warned of life-threatening floods and swells.
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."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. People living in mountainous areas have been told to beware of possible mudslides.
Around 2,000 shelters have been set up across the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca and 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.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 least 50 people were killed during Hurricane Otis, a category 5 hurricane that battered Acapulco.
In October 2023, at least 50 people were killed in 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.Otis intensified rapidly, meaning many people were unprepared when the hurricane made landfall.