The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three tropical waves in the Atlantic basin. Tropical wave 1: An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is along 23W, south of 14N, moving westward at 6 to 11 mph. Tropical wave 2: A central Atlantic tropical wave is along 43W, south of 13N, moving westward at 6 to 11 mph.

Up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain could fall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lighter amounts in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, the Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory. The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain.

Fernandez MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Hurricane Erick is rapidly strengthening off Mexico's Pacific coast and is expected to intensify into a major Category 3 hurricane before making landfall, authorities said on Wednesday.