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Miami’s National Hurricane Center said strong Hurricane Eric landed in southern Mexico’s state of Oaxaca early Thursday.
The center of the hurricane was about 20 miles (30 km) east of Punta Maldonado. Its maximum sustained wind was recorded at 125 mph (205 kph). The northwest was moving at 9am (15kph) per Hurricane Centre.
The storm was slightly downgraded before landing from the powerful Category 4 to Category 3.
The storm passed a needle between the resorts of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido and was torn into a sparsely populated coastline near the border between Oaxaca and Guerrero. Agricultural fields cover low-lying coastal areas between small fishing villages.
According to the Hurricane Center, Eric is expected to weaken rapidly when he crashes into a mountain along the southern coast of Mexico, and the system is likely to dissipate later Thursday or early Friday.
The storm threatened the eyes to unleash destructive winds near land, flash floods and dangerous storm surges, predictors said.
The storm moves south on approach
In the first light of Thursday, Acapulco woke up under the dark, ominous clouds, but rain and small waves didn’t lap on the central beach.
However, the storm was predicted to move northwest just above the coast until noon, dramatically causing heavy rain to the resort and the towers above it.
Still, Acapulco seemed to dodge the worst at least in terms of Erick’s strong winds.
Late Wednesday, Eric’s predicted road crept south near Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca’s Resort City.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a video message Wednesday night that all activities in the area have been suspended and she urged people to stay home or move to shelter if they lived in lowlands.
By dusk, the waves had crashed into the Puerto Escondido Esplanade, beating the wooden fishing boats that had been lifted up there for safety. The beach disappeared under the thrilling waves, and the current had already reached the interiors of several waterfront restaurants.
Last minute purchases ended at dusk as stores closed and streets were empty.
Earlier in the day, Puerto Escondido fishermen pulled their boats out of the water prior to the arrival of the storm. Some surfers were riding the waves at Zicatela Beach, but there was a red flag and warned people to be out of the water.
acapulco is still hurt by Otis
The residents of Acapulco were supported by Eric’s arrival with more preparation and fear, due to the memories of the devastation that Hurricane Otis was born two years ago.
In October 2023, nearly a million cities were devastated by Hurricane Otis. Hurricane Otis is a rapidly strengthened and many unprepared Category 5 hurricane. At least 52 people have died in Otis, and the storm has severely damaged almost every hotel at the resort.
Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said via X that all movements in Acapulco and other beach communities will be suspended at 8pm on Wednesday. Schools across the state remained closed for the second day Thursday.
Carlos Ozuna Romero, 51, lost a restaurant on the edge of Acapulco Beach when Otis slammed the resort with devastating winds. On Wednesday, he oversaw the workers who kept tables and chairs.
“The authorities’ warnings fill us with fear and clearly remember everything we have already experienced,” Ozuna Romero said in connection with OTIS.
Elsewhere, workers nailed sheets of plywood over the shop windows and stacked sandbags outside the doorway. Cars lined up to fill the tanks, and shoppers bought it last minute before returning home.
Verónica Gómez struggled through the city of Acapulco with a large jug. “We’re all afraid because I think the same thing can happen,” said the 40-year-old employee of the shipping company.
However, she said she and others learned a lot from Otis. “Now that’s not going to surprise us,” she said.
In Acapulco on Wednesday, there was a strong presence of the National Guard and police on the streets, but the most prominent one was the National Electric Power Company trucks. The crew worked to clean and polish the drains.
Rain may be Eric’s legacy
Forecasters were hoping Eric would smash Mexico’s Pacific coast with heavy rain, strong winds and heavy tides. The center’s advisory states that up to 16 inches (40 cm) of rain fell into the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, Mexico, with fewer totals in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco. Rainfall threatens flooding and landslides, especially in areas with steep terrain.
Laura Belazuquez, Mexican national civil defense coordinator, said Eric is expected to bring “heavy” rains on Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas in southern Mexico. Coastal mountainous areas are particularly prone to landslides with numerous rivers at risk of flooding.
The port of Acapulco was closed Tuesday evening. Salgado said 582 shelters are set to receive people who could potentially evacuate their homes beyond Guerrero.
Eric quickly doubled his strength
Eric doubled his strength in less than a day and ran through the ideal environment for quick reinforcement. Last year, according to the Hurricane Center, there were 34 rapid intensification cases when the storm acquired at least 35 mph in 24 hours, when it acquired at least 35 mph.
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Sanchez was reported from Acapulco, Mexico.
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