Storm Erick approaches the Mexican coast

Tropical Storm Erick is approaching the Pacific coast of Mexico on Tuesday (17) and is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane in the next few hours, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The NHC said in its latest report that the storm is located 460 kilometers from Puerto Ángel, on the coast of Oaxaca, with sustained winds of 75 km/h.

The weather agency estimated that Erick would strengthen into a hurricane during the night of Tuesday or early Wednesday. Heavy rains are expected in the southern states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum asked the population to pay attention to Civil Protection announcements.

"There is a chance that it will develop into a category 2 hurricane and make landfall tomorrow, Wednesday. We ask all the population of the coasts of Chiapas, Oaxaca and southern Guerrero to stay alert to the information," he said on the social network X.

Due to its geographical location, Mexico is hit by cyclones every year, both on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, usually between May and November.

In October 2023, the port of Acapulco was hit by Hurricane Otis, which in a matter of hours became a Category 5 hurricane, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, and left a wave of destruction, around 50 dead and approximately 30 missing.

In September 2024, Mexico's southern Pacific coast was hit twice by John, which reached Category 3 strength and killed at least 15 people, most of them in Acapulco.

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