Mexico City
AP
–
Hurricane Eric endured a major Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday evening as he was bored on the southern coast of Mexico, threatening devastating winds, flash floods and dangerous high surges in the area in the coming hours.
Eric, who was quickly strengthened a few hours before the Category 1 hurricane, was shot and killed offshore about 55 miles (85 km) southwest of the Puerto Angel, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (200 kph) by dusk.
Eric also moved northwest to 9 mph (15 kph) towards the expected landfall Thursday morning, about 125 miles (200 kph) southeast of Punta Maldonado. Major hurricanes are defined as Category 3 or lower and wind speeds of at least 111 mph (180 kph). Forecasters said further strengthening is expected and catastrophic wind damage is possible near the site where the eye is on land.
The projected path will be centrally located near the resort of Acapulco, which was devastated by Hurricane Otis in October 2023. Category 5 hurricanes are intensifying rapidly and many are not ready. At least 52 people have died in Otis and 32 have gone missing after the storm severely damaged almost every hotel at the resort.
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.
Although some beaches were already closed, tourists continued to sunbathe others a few hours ago.
On the beach in Acapulco, a series of people waited for the help of the backhoe to pull the boat out of the water.
Adrián Acevedo Durantes, 52, takes tourists around the picturesque coastline of Acapulco on the boat. Two of his boats sank into Hurricane Otis, while the third was severely damaged.
“We didn’t expect Otis to bring one of its sizes, so we’re taking precautions because climate change will keep the water warmer and hurricanes stronger,” Acevedo says.
This time, the port administration ordered no one to board their boats and ride the storm. During Otis, many people lost their lives by staying in boats in the port. He said he knew some of the people lost in the sea.
He admitted it was sunny and the water had settled down on a Wednesday afternoon, and although it’s hard to imagine a big storm on the way, “Otis was calm all day, clear, and there was two hours of strong winds in the middle of the night and saw what happened the next day.”
Francisco Casalbio, a 46-year-old choreographer, carried a carton of eggs during his last minute shopping before the storm. He was planning to pick up rice, beans and canned food as well.
His home has been flooded in Otis and lost power, and although he is taking Eric more seriously, he says he doesn’t have time to shop until Wednesday.
Forecasters said Eric is expected to smash Mexico’s Pacific coast with heavy rain, strong winds and heavy storm surges. 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.
The hurricane warning was effective from Acapulco to Puerto Angel. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in the area, and preparations to protect lives and property should be rushed until completion, according to the Hurricane Centre Advisory.
Down the coast of Puerto Escondido near the southern tip of the road that could be Eric, they began pulling boats out of the water on Wednesday under drizzling skies.
The wind had not yet been greeted at Zicatera Beach, but the Red Flag was there to warn people to stay away from the water. However, some surfers ignored them as they were on the waves.
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.
Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said all schools were closed on Wednesday and the state is warning all fisheries and tourism operators to prepare for boat storms. The port of Acapulco was closed Tuesday evening. Salgado said 582 shelters are set to accept people who may evacuate their homes.
During a daily briefing, President Claudia Sinbaum warned that those on hurricane paths should be aware of government instructions and wait for a storm in their homes and designated shelters.
Eric doubled in less than a day, running 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.
