Southern Mexico began an extensive clean-up operation on Thursday after Hurricane Erick made landfall along the Pacific coast as a powerful Category 3 storm, bringing destructive winds, torrential rains, and widespread flooding across Oaxaca and Guerrero.
The storm struck near the tourist town of Puerto Escondido with sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h), damaging critical infrastructure and cutting off power and communications in several areas. It later weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland, with the U.S. National Hurricane Center forecasting its complete dissipation by Thursday night. Despite the intensity of the hurricane, authorities confirmed no deaths or serious injuries.
In Puerto Escondido, streets were submerged, boats were buried under sand, and fallen trees and debris littered the roads. Two hospitals were reportedly damaged, and hundreds of soldiers and emergency workers were deployed to assist in rescue and relief efforts. The state-owned electricity company CFE reported over 120,000 users without power in Oaxaca, with a quarter of those restored by midday.
Residents described the flooding as unprecedented. Luis Alberto Gil, a local merchant, said the water had &ldquo;never hit with this magnitude,&rdquo; recalling how his shop was swamped in the storm surge. In the port town of Salina Cruz, streets also turned into rivers, leaving vehicles stranded and prompting immediate intervention by police and local authorities.
Ahead of the storm&rsquo;s arrival, the Mexican government issued a red alert&mdash;the highest danger level&mdash;for parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero. A hurricane warning was in place along a 300-mile stretch of the coast from Puerto &Aacute;ngel to Acapulco. President Claudia Sheinbaum urged people to remain indoors and relocate to safety if living in low-lying or flood-prone areas. More than 2,000 emergency shelters were activated across Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas.
In the coastal community of Lagunas de Chacahua, over 100 residents, mostly fishermen and tourism workers, were evacuated to local schools. In Acapulco, a city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Otis in 2023, businesses boarded up, tourist boats were hauled to shore, and residents stocked up on food and fuel in anticipation. Although the city remained largely unscathed, its citizens responded cautiously due to past experience.
The National Hurricane Center warned of the risk of life-threatening storm surges, mudslides, and flash flooding, particularly in mountainous areas. Mexico&rsquo;s environment ministry also issued warnings for waves up to 10 meters high.
Hurricane Erick is one of several storms that have battered Mexico&rsquo;s coasts in recent years. With the official hurricane season lasting from May to November, officials say such extreme weather events are becoming more intense and frequent due to warming ocean temperatures. As Erick moves out, efforts are underway to restore power, clear roads, and assist affected communities. While no lives were lost, the damage left behind serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the need for ongoing preparedness in storm-prone regions.

Storm batters Oaxaca, floods Puerto Escondido; power cuts, no casualties reported, cleanup underway

Hurricane Erick slams Mexico’s Pacific coast

Storm batters Oaxaca, floods Puerto Escondido; power cuts, no casualties reported, cleanup underway

June 20, 2025 | 09:46 IST