The storm threatened to unleash destructive winds near where the eye crashes ashore, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge, forecasters said.

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 Oaxaca as a Category 3 storm on Thursday, the first time a major hurricane has hit Mexico in June.