Hurricane Erick made landfall in Mexico’s southern Oaxaca state as a Category 3 hurricane early Thursday, down from its earlier strength as a Category 4. It struck with wind speeds of up to 205 kph (approximately 130 mph), but by the mid-afternoon, it had weakened to a tropical storm, with winds decreasing to 85 kph after moving inland.
Although Erik’s wind speeds diminished, officials warned of the continued danger posed by its heavy rains. The US National Hurricane Center issued a warning about the potential for life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with rugged terrain. Guerrero state was predicted to receive up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain, with neighboring Oaxaca and Michoacan expecting up to 4 inches.
Before its downgrade to Category 3, Hurricane Erick had been a powerful Category 4.Image: Luis Alberto Cruz/AP Photo/picture alliance
Hurricane Causes Damage but No Injuries
Following the landfall of Hurricane Erick, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated, “The people have reacted very well so far.” Despite leaving behind flooded streets and damaged infrastructure in Oaxaca, there were no immediate reports of deaths according to Laura Velazquez, the head of Mexico’s civil protection agency. She also mentioned damages to two hospitals and issues with the power supply.
President Sheinbaum highlighted that there was a continued risk of flooding after the hurricane.Image: Henry Romero/REUTERSThe state-owned utility company CFE reported 123,000 power outages in Oaxaca, though service had been restored to 26% of those affected by late morning. Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara underscored the significant damage to roads and highways.
Edited by: Alex Berry
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/mexico-hurricane-erick-weakens-as-residents-clear-debris/a-72978989?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
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