Hurricane Erick — the fifth-named storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season — is intensifying as it continues on a path toward Mexico. The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday night that Erick had strengthened into a major hurricane as it approaches southern Mexico on Thursday.
As of 10 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, Erick had upgraded to a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of nearly 125 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended 25 miles and tropical storm-force winds extended 90 miles from its center. It was centered about 55 miles southwest of Puerto Ángel, Mexico, moving northwest at 9 mph.
This map shows the projected path of the storm:
Hurricane Erick is rapidly intensifying and forecast to reach major status before hitting Mexico, the National Hurricane Center says.
Nikki Nolan/CBS News
The center of the storm was forecast to make landfall "in the western portion of the Mexican state of Oaxaca or the eastern portion of the Mexican state of Guerrero early Thursday morning," the hurricane center said. It was then expected to "continue inland over southern Mexico during the day on Thursday."
A hurricane warning is in effect for Acapulco to Puerto Angel.
Hurricane Erick is rapidly intensifying and forecast to reach major status before hitting Mexico, the National Hurricane Center says.
Nikki Nolan/CBS News
Major status begins at Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale, with winds between 111 mph and 129 mph, strong enough to cause "devastating damage," according to NOAA.
"Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends," NOAA says of the category's potential impacts. "Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes."
Categories 4 and 5 have even greater impacts, with the ability to cause "catastrophic damage," the service says. That scale, however, just accounts for wind.
"Water hazards — storm surge and inland flooding — have historically been the leading causes of loss of life during hurricanes," NOAA warns. "Hurricanes can also bring strong winds, tornadoes, rough surf, and rip currents."
Erick is forecast to produce between 8 to 12 inches of rain, with maximum totals of 16 inches across the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, the National Hurricane Center said, leading to "life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain." Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco are expected to see between 2 and 4 inches of rain.
Hurricane Erick is forecast to bring up to 12 inches of rain across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, the National Hurricane Center said.
Nikki Nolan/CBS News
Dangerous storm surge, which is a rise in sea level during the storm, is also expected to create coastal flooding and be accompanied by "large and destructive waves."
Erick is on track to impact Acapulco, an area that was devastated by Hurricane Otis in October 2023. Otis hit the city as a Category 5 and left dozens of people dead after its wind speeds increased by 115 mph in a single day — the second-fastest recorded rate in modern times, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"We are left with nothing," one woman said. "Everything is damaged."
More from CBS News
Li Cohen