Hurricane Erick rapidly intensified from a tropical storm with winds of 40 mph on June 17 to a formidable Category 4 hurricane by June 19, reaching peak winds of 130 mph before making landfall. It struck the extreme western Oaxaca state of Mexico, specifically east of Punta Maldonado, as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 125 mph. This event was recorded by the National Hurricane Center.
Puerto Escondido experienced significant rainfall, surpassing 10 inches, which resulted in boats and debris being pushed inland. This severe weather event marked history as Erick became the first major hurricane in the Eastern Pacific to make landfall in Mexico before August, breaking records that date back to the late 1950s. The previous record for the earliest major hurricane to landfall on the Pacific side of western Mexico was held by Hurricane Kiko, which struck on August 26, 1989, near the southern Baja Peninsula, according to NOAA data.
Moreover, Erick was noted as the second hurricane of the Eastern Pacific season, forming early on June 18—almost four weeks before the average start for the second hurricane of the season, which is typically around July 23 based on historical data from 1991 to 2020.
This early formation and intensity of hurricanes like Erick can prompt discussions about climate patterns and shifts in hurricane behaviors. It illustrates the need for preparedness and ongoing research into how these storms are affected by changing global climates.