Hurricane Erick made landfall early Thursday morning in the state of Oaxaca as a powerful Category 3 storm, becoming the earliest major hurricane on record to strike Mexico — on either coast — in any season.
The storm underwent rapid intensification overnight, reaching Category 4 strength with sustained winds of 140 mph before weakening slightly as it approached the coast, according to CBS News. Erick officially came ashore around 5:30 a.m. near Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, approximately 250 kilometers southeast of Acapulco.
By 9 a.m., the hurricane had weakened to Category 1 status with sustained winds of 85 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended up to 15 miles from the center, while tropical storm-force winds reached outward up to 90 miles. The storm moved inland on a north-northwest track toward Guerrero state.
Erick is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Eastern Pacific hurricane season and the second hurricane. It marks the earliest landfall of a major hurricane in Mexico since records began, which includes both the Eastern Pacific and Atlantic basins. The Eastern Pacific season runs from May 15 to November 30, while the Atlantic season begins June 1.
As the storm swept ashore, it caused extensive damage in coastal areas. In Puerto Escondido, about 140 kilometers southwest of the landfall site, strong winds and heavy surf damaged boats, docks, and other coastal infrastructure. El Universal reported major damage to the city’s principal dock. The recently opened Oaxaca City–Puerto Escondido highway, inaugurated in February 2024, was closed due to mudslides and fallen debris.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the storm’s structure began degrading as it neared the coast, though heavy rains and strong winds remained a serious threat. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are expected, particularly in mountainous terrain.
The National Weather Service warned that Category 3 hurricanes are capable of “devastating damage,” including long-lasting power outages. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also reminded the public that storm surge and inland flooding are the leading causes of hurricane-related fatalities. Additional threats include tornadoes, rough surf, and dangerous rip currents.
Although Erick is expected to dissipate over the mountains of southwestern Mexico by Thursday night, it continues to bring heavy rainfall. As of mid-morning Thursday, up to 250 mm (10 inches) of rain had already fallen in mountainous areas west of Oaxaca City, with more expected through the evening.
Forecasts call for 8 to 12 inches of rain across parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with isolated totals reaching 16 inches. Coastal flooding is expected in areas with strong onshore winds, as storm surge combines with large, destructive waves.
Much of the coast remains under weather alerts. The stretch from Acapulco east to Puerto Escondido is still under a Hurricane Warning, while the area west of Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana is under a Tropical Storm Warning. Hurricane-force winds are expected to diminish by mid-afternoon.
A Hurricane Warning indicates that hurricane conditions are expected in the warned area, while a Tropical Storm Warning signals the likelihood of tropical storm conditions.