(Reuters) – The US National Hurricane Center (CNH) said Hurricane Rick was slowly approaching Mexican shores on Sunday, and is expected to make landfall late Sunday or Monday after strengthening in Pacific waters.
Rick has slowed and is now moving at about 6 mph to the north with maximum winds of 140 km/h and strong gales. In a report, CNH said the storm was 210 kilometers (210 km) away on Sunday from Zihuatanejo, in Guerrero state.
“Strengthening is expected today as Rick approaches the coast of Mexico. After landing, rapid weakening is expected and Rick is expected to fade over mountainous terrain in southern Mexico on Monday or Tuesday night,” he added.
The report indicated that the Rick is expected to cause heavy rains that may lead to floods and landslides.
Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua) reported Sunday that Michoacan and Guerrero states may experience the storm’s heaviest rain, but other states in the central and western parts of the country will also receive heavy rain and even hail.
Conagua said the hurricane warning extends from Tecpan de Galeana, in Guerrero, to Punta San Telmo, in Michoacan. In mid-October another storm Pamela, Mexico’s Pacific coast was hit hard by hurricanes, causing trees to fall, damaging businesses and flooding streets.