The storm is forecast to rapidly intensify and become a Category 3 hurricane with 115-mph winds before making landfall along the coast of western Oaxaca or eastern Guerrero June 19. Hurricane watches and warnings, along with a tropical storm warning, have been issued.

MIAMI (AP) — A hurricane warning was issued Tuesday for a portion of southern Mexico as Tropical Storm Erick gained strength in the Pacific Ocean, forecasters said.

Erick became an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane early Thursday, as it crossed the Pacific Ocean en route to western Mexican two days after becoming a named storm.