Eric reaches hurricane status in southern Mexico
Meteorologists track winds and warm waters in the tropical regions that indicate hurricane development.
Mexico City – Hurricane Eric said it could land on the coast of Mexico’s Oaxaca, causing heavy rain, life-threatening floods and landslides.
The storm landed in the town of Santiago Pinottepa Nacional in Oaxaca at around 5:30am local time on June 19th. The major Category 3 hurricanes are accompanied by a maximum sustained wind of 127 mph and a gust of 155 mph, said Mexico’s National Water Commission.
Scientists have warned that Eric, the first hurricane to land in Mexico during this hurricane season, could become the most intense hurricane along Mexico’s Pacific coast early in the season that runs from May to November.
Forecasters predict above average active seasons, with 8-11 hurricanes, with 4-6 of them reaching major hurricane status.
The Storm Center is expected to move inland through southern Mexico throughout the day, the U.S. Hurricane Center in the report.
The Hurricane Center says up to 16 inches of rain is expected to collide with the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero.
“Eric is expected to quickly weaken Mexico’s mountains, and the system is likely to dissipate tonight or early Friday,” the center added.
Threat to residents
“Heavy rains lead to life-threatening floods and landslides, especially in areas with steep terrain,” the NHC warned, and local authorities urged residents to remain vigilant.
Mexico’s Environment Ministry and Conagua issued similar warnings, adding that waves across the coastal area have reached up to 33 feet.
Local media and videos shared on social networks show flooded streets in several major tourist destinations along Mexico’s Pacific coast, such as huatulco.
Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara urged residents to follow the authorities’ recommendations in a post from X, saying the shelter is available to people in the at-risk community.
Mexican authorities are coordinating tourist evacuation efforts at beach destinations, including Acapulco.
(Reporting by Ada Perez Fernandez and Ammoll Chuby of Bengaluru, edited by Himani Sarkar, edited by Toby Chopra, Bernadette Baum and Andrea Rich.)
