Cleanup Begins as Hurricane Erick Moves on From Mexican Coast

Hurricane Erick struck southern Mexico as a Category 3 storm, prompting cleanup in affected areas like Puerto Escondido. Despite significant damage, no injuries or deaths have been reported, but many lost power and communication. Authorities are on alert for continued flooding and mudslides as the storm weakens.

Cleanup efforts commenced in southern Mexico on Thursday following Hurricane Erick, which made landfall as a formidable Category 3 storm. Although the hurricane has since weakened while tracking inland, its impact was felt strongly in coastal towns such as Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca state. Here, emergency services and residents were hard at work draining flooded roads and removing debris. Trees, street signs, and boats all fell victim to the storm, which left many in the beachside community grappling with extensive damage.

Reports from the storm zone indicated no fatalities or injuries, a small relief amid considerable destruction. Approximately 30,000 residents in Puerto Escondido faced power outages and a loss of cellular service. “The water had never hit with this magnitude,” remarked Luis Alberto Gil, a 44-year-old merchant whose shop suffered flooding. The government responded by sending hundreds of troops and electricity workers to assist in the cleanup.

As of Thursday morning, Hurricane Erick had been downgraded to a Category 1 storm, but the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) cautioned that significant rain and strong winds would still follow as the storm continued its northward trajectory. Wind speeds initially peaked at 125 miles per hour (205 kilometers per hour) and later diminished to 85 mph (140 km/h). Even so, life-threatening flooding and the possibility of mudslides loomed over the southern states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, as well as coastal flooding due to the storm surge predicted by the NHC.

In response to the severe weather conditions, authorities in Oaxaca and Guerrero took precautionary measures, closing schools, air terminals, and ports, including those in Acapulco. Non-essential activities were also suspended across the affected regions, with rainfall impacting Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco. According to the NHC’s 2 PM GMT update, Erick was expected to weaken further and likely dissipate by nightfall.

Mexico typically encounters numerous storms each year, particularly from May to November, across both of its coasts. Notably, Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm, devastated Acapulco in October 2023, leading to a tragic loss of life. The prior year also witnessed Hurricane John, which wreaked havoc as a Category 3 storm, resulting in around 15 fatalities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum called on residents to stay indoors, especially those near rivers or in low-lying areas, advising them to relocate to designated shelters set up in Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. “We are in contact with the Defense and Navy, assessing what the effects are on these populations,” she informed during her daily press briefing.

In Puerto Escondido, while many restaurants remained closed, some tourists chose to remain despite the storm’s threats. Not too far away in Acapulco, a popular resort city, it appeared largely deserted. Residents followed safety warnings, boarding up shops and grounding tourist boats, with many having stocked up on essential supplies like food, water, and gasoline in preparation for the storm.

Cleanup efforts are underway in southern Mexico after Hurricane Erick hit hard, causing significant damage and leaving many without power. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. Authorities have taken precautions, closing schools and ports while monitoring the situation closely. As the storm dissipates, residents in the area are reminded of the potential for further flooding, especially in low-lying locations.

Original Source: www.kpvi.com