New York, Wednesday, June 18, 2025 — 11:24 PM (EDT)
Hurricane Erick, officially confirmed by the Mexican National Meteorological Service (SMN) on Tuesday, has rapidly intensified off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico, particularly near Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas. The storm has escalated into a Category 4 hurricane, with the potential to reach Category 5 status—making it the most powerful tropical system of the 2025 season so far.
Erick’s path and landfall timeline
According to the National Water Commission (Conagua) and Mexico’s Navy (Semar), Hurricane Erick is expected to make landfall between Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, and Punta Maldonado, Guerrero, between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM local time on Thursday, June 19. Its current movement is toward the northwest at 9 mph (15 km/h).
The eye of Erick is approximately 17 miles (28 km) in diameter. As of the latest advisory, the hurricane is located about 124 miles (200 km) southeast of Punta Maldonado, packing sustained winds of 127 mph (205 km/h) and gusts reaching 155 mph (250 km/h).
Guerrero under red alert, authorities mobilize
Evelyn Salgado Pineda, Governor of Guerrero, declared a red alert for the entire state. This phase signals maximum risk, prompting the implementation of emergency protocols and civil protection plans. In coordination with Roberto Arroyo Matus, head of Civil Protection, the state urges residents to remain at home and monitor official emergency channels.
At the federal level, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed activation of both the DN-III-E Plan (led by the Army) and the Plan Marina. These plans coordinate emergency logistics across federal, state, and municipal levels. President Sheinbaum emphasized: “Stay calm and united. We will get through this together.”
Category escalation and critical warnings
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States confirmed that Erick had intensified to Category 4 late Wednesday night. The SMN warned earlier that ocean-atmosphere conditions were favorable for rapid strengthening, and indeed, that prediction materialized.
As of now, Erick threatens to bring torrential rainfall, landslides, and storm surges throughout Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. The effects of this system are expected to stretch far beyond the eye, impacting broad coastal and inland areas.
State and municipal actions
In Acapulco, the airport will close all operations. Airlines including Volaris and Viva Aerobus have suspended or are monitoring flights to and from Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, and Mexico City.
Power will be cut off in Marquelia, on the Costa Chica of Guerrero, starting at 8:00 PM local time, as a preventive measure. Internet access via satellite link has been installed at the Municipal Command Center for emergency communication only.
Across the State of Mexico, a regional alert has been issued with heavy rainfall expected between Thursday and Saturday. Similarly, the Public Education Secretariat in Puebla has suspended classes in more than 70 municipalities due to risks of flooding, landslides, and road closures.
In Colima, although Erick’s core is still distant, waves up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) and winds up to 37 mph (60 km/h) are forecast along the Armería, Tecomán, and Manzanillo coastline.
On-the-ground impact
The Acapulco Civil Protection Department has suspended public transportation as of 8:00 PM, leaving only emergency vehicles on the roads. In Puebla, landslides and road closures have already affected the Azumbilla–Tlacotepec highway and parts of Ajalpan and Coatepec.
On the coast between Salina Cruz and Huatulco, over 250 businesses have closed voluntarily to protect employees and infrastructure. Local port authorities had previously advised coastal vendors and tourism operators to prepare for impact.
Erick, now classified as a major hurricane, remains a significant threat as it moves closer to the southern Mexican coastline, with conditions set to worsen overnight into Thursday morning.
