Federal cuts to the National Weather Service and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could tamper with ...

This latest blow to federal forecasting abilities is sparking outrage from meteorologists and public officials.

The hurricane’s center was located about 35 miles (60 kilometers) north-northeast of Acapulco Thursday afternoon. Its maximum sustained winds were clocked at 50 mph (85 kph).

While slightly reduced in power, Erick is still considered a major hurricane as a Category 3, which can carry winds of up to 129 mph. ... Acapulco awoke under ominous dark clouds.

It was moving northwest at 9 mph, the hurricane center said.The storm was downgraded slightly before making landfall, from a powerful Category 4 to a Category 3.