Hurricane Erick, after an astonishing burst of rapid intensification, has made landfall in extreme western Oaxaca state, east of Punta Maldonado, as a formidable Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.
The powerful storm is unleashing life-threatening storm surge, widespread rainfall flooding, and destructive winds across southern Mexico.
Erick’s rapid strengthening has been a key characteristic of its destructive path. Just Tuesday morning, it was a 40 mph tropical storm. By midnight Thursday morning, it had exploded into a Category 4 intensity, a testament to the volatile nature of tropical cyclones.
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This landfall marks a significant and unprecedented event in Eastern Pacific hurricane history. Erick is the first major hurricane on record to make landfall in Mexico prior to August, with records dating back to the late 1950s. The previous earliest major hurricane to strike western Mexico from the Pacific side was Kiko, which made landfall on August 26, 1989, in the southern Baja Peninsula.
The 2025 Eastern Pacific hurricane season continues to demonstrate unusual early activity. Erick became the basin’s second hurricane of the season early Wednesday morning, nearly four weeks ahead of the average pace.
Furthermore, it represents the season’s fifth named storm, historically forming by July 23 based on the 1991-2020 average.
Immediate Threats and Warnings
Hurricane warnings remain in effect for parts of Mexico’s Guerrero and Oaxaca states, including the popular resort city of Acapulco. Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings extend both west and east of this primary hurricane warning area, highlighting the extensive reach of Erick’s impacts.
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Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center anticipate a rapid weakening of Erick as it moves inland over the mountainous terrain of Mexico. The storm is expected to dissipate by late tonight or early Friday, but not before delivering a final punch of severe weather.
The most severe storm surge and devastating wind impacts are concentrated along and just east of where Erick’s center came ashore, specifically in parts of western Oaxaca and eastern Guerrero states. While the most intense threats are east of Acapulco, strong wind gusts are still a possibility within the city, particularly over higher elevations.
However, the most widespread and perhaps insidious threat comes from torrential rainfall. Totals of 8 to 12 inches are forecast for Oaxaca and Guerrero states, with isolated amounts reaching up to 16 inches. This extreme rainfall is highly likely to trigger life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, especially in the steep, mountainous terrain characterizing this coastal region.
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