Hurricane Rick is slowly approaching the Mexican Pacific coast

Hurricane Rick was slowly approaching Mexican shores on Sunday and is expected to make landfall late Sunday or Monday after strengthening in waters of the Pacific Ocean, said the National Hurricane Center (CNH) from the United States.

Rick slowed down and is now moving about 6 kilometers per hour (kph) to the north with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and strong gusts. The storm was located 210 kilometers from Zihuatanejothe CNH said in a report.

“A strengthening is forecast today as Rick approaches the coast of Mexico. After making landfall, a rapid weakening is expected and Rick is expected to dissipate over the mountainous terrain of southern Mexico on Monday night or Tuesday.” he added.

Rick is expected to produce heavy rains that could lead to flooding and landslides, the report noted.

The National Water Commission (Conagua) in Mexico, he said on Sunday that the states of Michoacán and Guerrero could suffer the heavier rains that the storm discharges, but that other states in the center and west of the country will also receive heavy rainfall and even hail.

The hurricane warning extends from Tecpan de Galeana, in Guerrero, to Punta San Telmo, in Michoacán, Conagua said.

In mid-October, another storm, Pamela hit the Mexican Pacific coast with hurricane force, leaving downed trees, damaged businesses and flooded streets.