Hurricane Erick strengthened in the Pacific Ocean and could become a major hurricane before striking Mexico, the National Hurricane Center warned.

The hurricane had been a Category 4 storm as it bore down from the eastern Pacific toward Mexico. The authorities ordered evacuations in Oaxaca and Guerrero.

Hurricane Erick made landfall in Mexico's western state of Oaxaca early Thursday. The storm was downgraded slightly before making landfall, from a powerful Category 4 to a Category 3.