The powerful Hurricane Eric makes landfall in southern Mexico's state of Oaxaca, Miami National Hurricane Center said.
The Hurricane Center is located about 30 kilometers east of Punta Maldonado. Its maximum sustained wind is 205 km/h. The Hurricane Center said it moved at a speed of 15 km/h.
The storm dropped slightly before landing, from powerful category 4 to category 3. Although the power is slightly reduced, Eric is still considered the main hurricane, as a category 3, able to withstand winds up to 210 km/h.
The storm cut the needle between Acapulco and Puerto Escondido resorts in Rico, tearing a sparsely populated coastline near the borders of Oaxaca and Guerrero states. Farmland covers low-lying coastal areas between small fishing villages.
The Hurricane Center said the system could weaken rapidly as Eric crashes into coastal mountains in southern Mexico and could dissipate late Thursday or Friday.
Forecasters say the storm threatens to release destructive winds, mountain flooding and dangerous storm surges.
The storm moves southward
On Thursday, it was just lightened. Acapulco woke up under ominous clouds, but there was no rain and little waves on the central beach.
However, the storm is expected to move northwest on the coast at noon, bringing heavy rain to the mountains above the resort and the tower.
Still, it seems that at least as far as Erick's strong winds are concerned, Acapulco has escaped at least the worst.
Later Wednesday, Erick's expected route crawled southward, near the wine city of Escondido in the state of Oaxaca, where Acapulco follows the coast to the northwest.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a video message Wednesday night that all activities in the area were suspended and she urged people to stay at home or move to shelters if they live in low-lying areas.
As night falls, the waves crash into the marina art of Escondido, Puerto Rico, flooding the wooden fishing boats that were pulled there for safety.
The beach disappeared in the violent waves and the high tide had reached the interior of some beachfront restaurants.
Acapulco is still scarred by Otis
Acapulco residents were prepared for Erick's arrival, as the damage caused by Otis two years ago caused more preparation and fear.
Nearly one million cities were destroyed by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that quickly strengthened and captured many people without preparation. At least 52 people died in Otis, and the storm has seriously damaged almost all hotels in the resort.
Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said in X that all sports in Acapulco and other beach communities should be suspended at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Schools across the state will be closed the next day Thursday.
A powerful hurricane left a powerful hurricane in the seaside resort community in Acapulco, Mexico.
Carlos Ozuna Romero, 51, lost his restaurant on the edge of Acapulco Beach when Otis slammed the resort with devastating winds. On Wednesday, he directed workers to store tables and chairs.
“The warning from the authorities has filled us with fear and obviously made us remember everything we have already experienced,” Ozuna Romero said of Otis.
Elsewhere, workers nailed plywood sheets to shop windows and piled sandbags outside the door. Cars lined up to fill their tanks, and shoppers made last-minute purchases before rushing home.
Verónica Gómez struggled on the streets of Acapulco with a large jar of water.
“We are all scared because we think the same thing can happen,” said a 40-year-old employee of a transportation company.
But she said she and others learned a lot from Otis. “We won't be surprised now,” she said.
In Acapulco on Wednesday, there were powerful National Guard and police on the streets, but the most visible were trucks from the National Electric Power Company. Staff worked hard to clean the drain pipes and brushes.
The rain may be Eric's legacy
Mexico's national civil defense coordinator Laura Velázquez said Erick is expected to bring “torrential” rain to Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas in southern Mexico. Mountainous areas in coastal areas are particularly prone to mudslides, and many rivers are at risk of flooding.
The port of Acapulco is closed Tuesday night. Salgado said 582 shelters will host people who may evacuate Guerrero's house.
