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'Life-threatening storm surge' warning as Hurricane Erick hits Mexico's Oaxaca Mexico begins clean-up after hurricane Erick hits southern coast
(about 2 hours later)
Mexican Navy members help with the clean-up after Erick passed through Puerto Escondido in OaxacaMexican Navy members help with the clean-up after Erick passed through Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca
Hurricane Erick, a Category 3 storm, has made landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says. Southern Mexico began a major clean-up on Thursday in the aftermath of Hurricane Erick, which hit its Pacific coast as a powerful Category 3 storm.
Erick hit the extreme west of Oaxaca state early on Thursday local time with maximum sustained winds near 205km/h (125 mph), shortly after being downgraded slightly from an "extremely dangerous" Category 4. The tourist town of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca state was left without electricity and phone coverage, after the storm damaged infrastructure, including two hospitals, and flooded streets.
Forecasters warned of its destructive winds and said it could cause life-threatening flooding in Oaxaca and neighbouring Guerrero before moving inland over southern Mexico, where it is expected to weaken rapidly. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries. The storm dropped to Category 1 soon after making landfall, although the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said flooding and hurricane-force winds would persist as Erick headed north.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told people in the storm's path to "stay tuned to official communications, to stay indoors, and not go out". The NHC warned of a potential for "life-threatening" storm surge in the hurricane's wake and Mexico's environment ministry also warned of waves of up to 10m (33ft).
A hurricane warning is in effect for a 500km-stretch (300 miles) of the Pacific coast, from the resort town of Acapulco to Puerto Ángel. Hundreds of troops were called in to help with clean-up efforts in Puerto Escondido, where several buildings had suffered damage and roads were flooded near where the storm made landfall.
Images showed some damage to the beachfront and some flooding in Puerto Escondido, a resort town of 30,000 around 250 miles (400km) from Acapulco. Navy personnel were on hand to help with the clean-up. The water "had never hit with this magnitude", 44-year-old merchant Luis Alberto Gil, whose shop was among those flooded, told AFP.
Residents in Guerrero and Oaxaca were warned of dangerous swells and torrential rain. State-owned utility CFE said that more than 120,000 users lost power in Oaxaca, with service restored to a quarter of those affected by late morning.
"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. Gusts in the state reached 125mph (205km/h) an hour before falling to 85mph.
People living in mountainous areas have been told to beware of possible mudslides. Around 250 miles (400km) north along the Pacific coast, the port and resort city of Acapulco was largely deserted as residents heeded calls to hunker down, with shops boarded up and tourist boats grounded.
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. Many had stocked up the day before on food, water and gasoline.
The area was severely battered by Hurricane Otis in 2023. At least 50 people were killed when the Category-5 hurricane battered Acapulco. Alerts remained in place on Thursday for life-threatening flooding and mudslides in Oaxaca and neighbouring Guerrero, as well as the potential for a life-threatening storm surge on the coast.
However, the NHC said that Erick was to continue its "rapid weakening" and would probably dissipate in the later hours of Thursday.
President Claudia Sheinbaum had urged people to avoid going out and advised those living in low-lying areas or near rivers to move to shelters - some 2,000 of which had been set up in Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca in anticipation.
Southern Mexico was severely battered by Hurricane Otis in 2023. At least 50 people were killed when the Category 5 hurricane battered Acapulco.
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.
Are you in an area affected by Hurricane Erick?Are you in an area affected by Hurricane Erick?
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