Hurricane Erick: Oaxaca's Brush with Nature's Fury

Hurricane Erick made a powerful landfall in Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca early Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Initially classified as a major hurricane, Erick weakened into a tropical storm as it progressed inland, unleashing heavy rain.

By Thursday afternoon, the storm center was positioned roughly 35 miles north-northeast of Acapulco, registering maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Erick traveled northwest at a speed of 12 mph, tracing a precarious path between Acapulco and Puerto Escondido and impacting sparsely populated coastal areas.

The storm's impact included flash floods, a hazardous storm surge, and potential destructive winds. Although Acapulco experienced ominous weather, it escaped the worst of the storm. Authorities remained vigilant as Erick continued to challenge Mexico's Pacific coast, with Governor Evelyn Salgado emphasizing the ongoing danger of intense rain in Guerrero.

(With inputs from agencies.)