Context:

Hurricane Erick made landfall on Mexico’s southern coast early Thursday as a Category 3 storm, prompting evacuations and school closures in Oaxaca and Guerrero. Originally a Category 4 hurricane, Erick weakened slightly upon reaching the coast near Punta Maldonado with winds of 125 mph. The storm's heavy rains and destructive winds posed significant threats of dangerous storm surges, flooding, and mudslides, leading to a red alert in affected areas. Over 2,000 temporary shelters were established, and residents were urged to stay indoors or move to shelters if they lived in vulnerable areas. Erick is expected to weaken as it moves inland and dissipate by early Friday, with advisories warning of continued hazardous conditions along the coast.

Dive Deeper:

• Hurricane Erick, initially a Category 4 storm, weakened to Category 3 as it made landfall near Punta Maldonado in Oaxaca, bringing winds of 125 mph.

• The storm prompted a red alert and led to evacuations and school closures in Oaxaca and Guerrero due to the risk of flash floods, storm surges, and mudslides.

• U.S. National Hurricane Center forecasted 8 to 12 inches of rain, with some areas expecting up to 16 inches, particularly in mountainous regions prone to mudslides.

• More than 2,000 temporary shelters were set up across Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, with President Claudia Sheinbaum advising residents in low-lying areas to seek shelter.

• The storm caused significant flooding in Salina Cruz, leaving vehicles stranded, while authorities worked to clear roads and assist affected residents.

• Erick formed as a tropical storm before rapidly intensifying to Category 4, demonstrating the potential for rapid escalation similar to 2023's Hurricane Otis.

• The Pacific hurricane season, running through November, has seen Erick become the fifth named storm this year, emphasizing the region's vulnerability to severe weather.