Child Swept Away, Man Electrocuted as Hurricane Erick Hits Mexico

Hurricane Erick brought devastation to southern Mexico this week, killing at least two people and leaving a trail of destruction across coastal communities.

Though the storm weakened after landfall, it continues to pose serious risks due to persistent rain, flooding, and landslides, according to Digi24.

Two Confirmed fatalities

In the state of Oaxaca, a man died after being electrocuted while clearing debris near a stream.

In the neighboring state of Guerrero, a young child was swept away by flash floods as his mother attempted to cross a stream with him in her arms.

Erick initially made landfall as a powerful Category 3 hurricane before being downgraded to a tropical storm. It hit a relatively remote section of coastline between the tourist hubs of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido, sparing larger urban centers from the worst of the impact but leaving smaller communities severely affected.

In places like Lagunas de Chacahua, palm-roofed homes were flattened, streets were submerged, and entire neighborhoods found themselves cut off.

Emergency Response Efforts

The storm brought torrential rainfall, with some areas receiving between 20 to 40 centimeters of rain.

Emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear debris, restore power, and provide aid to stranded residents. In mountainous regions, fears of landslides and further flooding remain high.

Roads were blocked, trees were downed, and infrastructure took a hit.

Although Erick weakened to a low-pressure system and later regained some strength as a tropical storm, authorities maintained emergency alerts. Schools in several areas were closed, and flights in and out of Acapulco were suspended.

Thousands of people have taken shelter in temporary facilities set up by local authorities, with relief operations continuing as meteorologists warn of ongoing risks.