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Hurricane Erick intensifies to category 4 with dangerous landfall expected<\/strong><\/p>\n NEW YORK, Wednesday, June 18, 2025 (10:24 PM ET)<\/strong> \u2013 Hurricane Erick<\/strong>, which originated as a tropical cyclone off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico<\/strong>, has intensified significantly over the past 24 hours. As of tonight, the storm has reached category 4<\/strong> on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale<\/strong>, and is now considered the most powerful system<\/strong> of the 2025 hurricane season<\/strong> so far.<\/p>\n According to the latest updates from Conagua<\/strong> and the National Hurricane Center (NHC)<\/strong>, Erick is located about 125 miles (200 km) southeast of Punta Maldonado, Guerrero<\/strong>, with maximum sustained winds of 127 mph (205 km\/h)<\/strong> and gusts reaching 155 mph (250 km\/h)<\/strong>. The storm continues to move northwest at approximately 9 mph (15 km\/h)<\/strong>. Its eye is estimated at 17 miles (28 km) in diameter<\/strong>, a clear sign of its structural maturity and potential for devastating impact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Guerrero and Oaxaca on red alert<\/strong><\/p>\n Guerrero has officially entered red alert status<\/strong>, as declared by Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda<\/strong> and Civil Protection director Roberto Arroyo Matus<\/strong>, signaling maximum risk<\/strong>. The storm is expected to make landfall between Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, and Punta Maldonado, Guerrero<\/strong>, between 4:00 and 6:00 AM local time on Thursday, June 19<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Widespread shutdowns and emergency protocols<\/strong><\/p>\n Public transportation has been suspended<\/strong> in key municipalities such as Acapulco<\/strong>, Marquelia<\/strong>, and Coyuca de Ben\u00edtez<\/strong>, effective from 8:00 PM local time<\/strong>, with only emergency vehicles permitted<\/strong> on the roads. The airport in Acapulco has been closed<\/strong>, and all Volaris<\/strong> and Viva Aerobus<\/strong> flights to Acapulco, Puerto Escondido<\/strong>, and Huatulco<\/strong> for Thursday, June 19<\/strong>, have been cancelled.<\/p>\n In Puebla<\/strong>, over 70 school districts in the Sierra Norte and Valle Serd\u00e1n<\/strong> will suspend classes due to risks of landslides, rising rivers<\/strong>, and road blockages<\/strong>. In Colima<\/strong>, despite the storm\u2019s distance, authorities are monitoring potential heavy rain<\/strong>, gusts of 25 to 40 mph (40 to 60 km\/h)<\/strong>, and wave heights of up to 8.2 feet (2.5 meters)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Storm surge and dangerous rainfall outlook<\/strong><\/p>\n Extraordinary rainfall<\/strong> above 9.8 inches (250 mm)<\/strong> is expected in Oaxaca<\/strong>, torrential rains<\/strong> from 5.9 to 9.8 inches (150 to 250 mm)<\/strong> in Guerrero and Chiapas<\/strong>, and damaging winds<\/strong> of 75 to 87 mph (120 to 140 km\/h)<\/strong> across the southern coast. Wave heights could reach 19.7 feet (6 meters)<\/strong> in Oaxaca and Guerrero<\/strong>, creating the threat of life-threatening storm surges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Emergency communications and internet access established<\/strong><\/p>\n In response to power outages<\/strong> already beginning in the Costa Chica region<\/strong>, the municipality of Marquelia<\/strong> has activated a satellite internet antenna<\/strong> at the Emergency Command Center for public use, ensuring residents can stay in contact with families<\/strong> and receive verified updates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Presidential oversight and national mobilization<\/strong><\/p>\n President Claudia Sheinbaum<\/strong> has activated the DN-III-E military emergency plan<\/strong> and the Plan Marina<\/strong>, ensuring joint coordination between federal, state, and municipal agencies<\/strong>. In a statement, she urged residents of coastal Oaxaca and Guerrero<\/strong> to remain calm, stay indoors<\/strong>, and rely solely on official communication channels<\/strong> for guidance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conagua and SMN forecast potential category 5 escalation<\/strong><\/p>\n Meteorological experts at Conagua<\/strong> and the Servicio Meteorol\u00f3gico Nacional (SMN)<\/strong> have warned that Erick could strengthen further<\/strong>, possibly reaching category 5<\/strong> before landfall, due to favorable oceanic and atmospheric conditions<\/strong>. The forecast continues to monitor the storm\u2019s interaction with warm Pacific waters<\/strong> and low wind shear<\/strong> in the region.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Transport services halted across affected areas<\/strong><\/p>\n All public and private transportation services have been halted<\/strong> across the southern coast of Guerrero<\/strong>, including taxi, van, and bus lines. In Puerto Escondido<\/strong> and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec<\/strong>, Oaxacan civil protection authorities<\/strong> have urged residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas to evacuate immediately<\/strong>, warning that delays could be fatal<\/strong> due to the projected rainfall and storm surge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Severe infrastructure risk for tourism industry<\/strong><\/p>\n More than 250 beachside businesses<\/strong> have closed between Salina Cruz<\/strong> and Huatulco<\/strong> in Oaxaca<\/strong>, fearing structural damage and threats to employee safety. Local business owners were advised to take these steps by Port Authority officials<\/strong>, and they have been cooperating to protect lives and assets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n As of the most recent update, Hurricane Erick continues its rapid intensification<\/strong> and is expected to bring potentially catastrophic damage<\/strong> to parts of southern Mexico<\/strong> overnight and into Thursday morning<\/strong>, affecting millions across Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Chiapas<\/strong>, and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hurricane Erick intensifies to category 4 with dangerous landfall expected NEW YORK, Wednesday, June 18, 2025 (10:24 PM ET) \u2013 Hurricane Erick, which originated as a tropical cyclone off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico, has intensified significantly over the past 24 hours. As of tonight, the storm has reached category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":4480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n