Oaxaca, Mexico — On Wednesday night, major Hurricane Erick approached the coasts of Oaxaca and Guerrero as a category 4 hurricane. The approaching system created extraordinary rainfall in Oaxaca and torrential rains in Guerrero and Chiapas as well as strong winds and high waves along the coasts.
At 3:15 a.m. Central Mexico time, Hurricane Erick was recorded as a category 4 located approximately 30 kilometers west-southwest of Lagunas de Chacahua, Oaxaca, and 85 km east-southeast of Punta Maldonado, Guerrero.
Erick was heading toward land in a northwest direction at 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour and gusts of 270 km/h.
Extraordinary rainfall of more than 250 millimeters in Oaxaca and torrential rains of between 150 to 250 mm were expected in Guerrero and Chiapas.
According to the National Meteorological Service (SMN), Erick made landfall with wind gusts in excess of 250 km/h and waves of 8.0 to 10.0 meters (m) high on the coasts of Oaxaca and east Guerrero.
Erick was downgraded to a still-powerful category 3 hurricane as it made landfall early Thursday morning in Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca.
In a statement, the SMN said “at 5:30 a.m. Central Mexico time, the center of Erick made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca, with maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour and gusts of 250 km/h (155 mph).
“It continues to move northwest at 15 km/h (9.3 mph). At 6:15 a.m. (Central Mexico time) it was located on land, approximately 30 kilometers (km) east of Punta Maldonado, Guerrero.”
On Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center forecast Hurricane Erick to intensify into a major category 3 or higher before making landfall in Mexico. Authorities have not yet reported on damage or possible death tolls due to Hurricane Erick.
