Erick was expected to reach hurricane strength as it neared land Wednesday. The cyclone was centered about 180 miles (290 kilometers) south-southeast of Puerto Ángel, Mexico, at 3 a.m. CST (0800 GMT), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Erick lashed communities along the southwestern coast of Mexico on Thursday with destructive wind and torrential rain as it made landfall, raising fears of life-threatening flooding and mudslides as terrified residents hunkered down in homes and shelters for safety.