Tropical Storm Erick threatens Mexico: President Sheinbaum Warns It Could Become a Hurricane Cat 2

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a high-level warning Tuesday morning as Tropical Storm Erick gained strength in the Pacific, ordering the preventive activation of national disaster response plans and urging residents of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Guerrero to prepare for the storm's potentially severe impact.

Erick is expected to follow the same path as Hurricane Otis in 2023, which heavily impacted the port of Acapulco and led to the death of 52 people.

Speaking remotely from Calgary, Canada, where she is attending the G7 Summit, Sheinbaum used her official X account to announce that Tropical Storm Erick was located approximately 325 kilometers from Puerto Chiapas. She warned that the system had a high likelihood of developing into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall on Wednesday night or early Thursday.

"I have been informed by the National Civil Protection Coordination that Tropical Storm Erick is now 325 kilometers off the coast of Puerto Chiapas," Sheinbaum posted on X, formerly Twitter. "There is a high probability that it will become a Category 2 hurricane and make landfall on Wednesday. We ask all residents in Chiapas, Oaxaca, and southern Guerrero to stay informed through preparados.gob.mx."

In coordination with the National Civil Protection agency, Sheinbaum ordered the early deployment of Plan DN-III-E and Plan Marina. These military and naval response frameworks are typically activated for high-risk national emergencies. They allow the Mexican Army and Navy to coordinate evacuations, search-and-rescue efforts, shelter operations, and the rapid restoration of electricity and communications. National Civil Protection Coordinator Laura Velázquez confirmed that "Misión ECO" teams had been deployed to reinforce local efforts and link federal agencies with state governments.

Under presidential direction, civil protection bodies, including SEDENA, SEMAR, CFE, CONAGUA, and SICT, are preparing shelters, evacuation plans, and clear communication strategies, particularly targeting 22 high-risk municipalities in Oaxaca and Guerrero.

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Erick currently has sustained winds of 65 km/h and is located about 695 km southeast of Punta Maldonado, moving west‑northwest at 19 km/h. Forecasts predict it will strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane by midday Wednesday, potentially making landfall early Thursday with winds up to 177 km/h.

Hurricane and tropical storm warnings are active throughout southern Mexico, and rainfall estimates are 150-400 mm (6-16 inches) with a risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions. Erick marks the first hurricane‑strength cyclone expected to land in Mexico this season and has been linked to rising sea temperatures and climate patterns.

Guerrero's governor announced the suspension of schools in coastal municipalities and opened more than 580 shelters. Local authorities have begun mobilizing police patrols for door-to-door notifications in high-risk zones. The State Electricity Commission also has technicians on alert to rapidly restore power in the aftermath of any hurricane-related outages.