Hurricane Erick has tragically claimed the lives of at least two individuals as it ravaged southern Mexico, inflicting severe damage on coastal communities before it weakened into a low-pressure system, according to officials.
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In a heartbreaking incident, a man lost his life in southern Oaxaca while assisting in debris removal. Unfortunately, he came into contact with high-voltage cables near a stream, resulting in electrocution, as reported by the state government.
Additionally, a child in neighboring Guerrero state was swept away by a swollen stream while his mother attempted to carry him across in San Marcos. Civil protection authorities have confirmed this devastating loss.
The latest advisory from the U.S. National Hurricane Center indicates that Erick has weakened overnight to a tropical storm, currently located about 155 kilometers from Acapulco port, with sustained winds of 50 km/h as it traverses southern Mexico.
As one local resident reflected, “It was very strong, very ugly… the entire town is homeless, without clothes, we have no help,” while surveying the destruction and loss of her belongings.
In the vibrant tourist town of Puerto Escondido, residents and emergency responders are tirelessly working to drain flooded streets and clear away debris. The storm has toppled trees and street signs, burying boats beneath sand along the beach.
For a town of approximately 30,000 residents, the situation is dire, with many left without electricity or cellphone service. A business owner lamented, “The water had never hit with this magnitude” in Puerto Escondido.
During her morning briefing, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that heavy rains are still anticipated in southern states including Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, as well as Veracruz and Puebla. She expressed gratitude to the public for their responsible adherence to the authorities’ recommendations, noting on social media that 15 road sections in Oaxaca remain closed, with over 123,000 users impacted by power outages.
Mexico frequently experiences major storms, particularly between May and November, affecting both its Pacific and Caribbean coasts. For instance, in October 2023, Acapulco faced severe devastation due to Hurricane Otis, a powerful Category 5 storm, resulting in numerous fatalities. Interestingly, Hurricane John, another Category 3 storm, struck in September of the previous year, causing about 15 deaths.
President Sheinbaum has urged residents to stay indoors and advised those living in flood-prone areas or near rivers to evacuate to shelters. Around 2,000 shelters have been prepared in Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca in anticipation of this storm’s aftermath.
Many restaurants in Puerto Escondido remain closed, despite the presence of tourists who chose to endure the storm. Further north, approximately 400 kilometers along the Pacific coast, Acapulco, a prominent port and resort city known for its nightlife, appears largely deserted, with residents taking heed of calls to seek safety—shops have been boarded up, and tourist boats are grounded.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International—Monitoring.
