Punta Maldonado, Oaxaca – Hurricane Erick roared ashore in extreme western Oaxaca early Wednesday, bringing 125 mph winds, flooding rain, and the threat of landslides as it pushes inland across southern Mexico.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Erick made landfall around 6 a.m. CST near latitude 16.3 North and longitude 98.3 West, just east of Punta Maldonado. The Category 3 hurricane is moving northwest at 9 mph and is expected to weaken as it crosses mountainous terrain through Thursday morning.
Communities in Guerrero and Oaxaca—including Pinotepa Nacional, Cuajinicuilapa, and Santiago Jamiltepec—are already seeing strong wind gusts, downed trees, and localized flash flooding. Coastal areas are facing dangerous surf and storm surge, with hurricane-force winds extending 25 miles from the center. Tropical-storm-force winds reach as far as 90 miles out.
Residents in the storm’s path should stay indoors, charge devices, and avoid low-lying roads. Power outages are likely, and transportation delays are expected across regional highways and airports. Emergency shelters have opened in multiple districts, and government officials are urging caution until conditions improve.
More advisories are expected through the day, with the next full update from the NHC scheduled for 9 a.m. CST.
