Hurricane Erick Sets Earliest Major Landfall Record

Hurricane Erick made historic landfall on Mexico’s southwestern coast as a Category 3 hurricane after briefly reaching Category 4 intensity, causing widespread damage but resulting in no reported fatalities. The storm brought severe flooding, landslides, and power outages to Oaxaca and Guerrero, affecting over 120,000 people and damaging homes, hospitals, and infrastructure. Authorities issued high-danger warnings, and the National Hurricane Center emphasized risks of life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and storm surges. Erick set a record as the earliest major hurricane landfall in Mexico for both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, raising concerns about increasing hurricane intensity due to climate change. The hurricane quickly weakened after moving inland, but its rapid intensification and destructive impact have prompted renewed calls for preparedness. Significant travel disruptions and suspended flights further complicated recovery efforts for affected communities.