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Hurricane Erick has been upgraded to an "extremely dangerous" Category 4, the US National Hurricane Center has warned.

The major storm threatens to unleash destructive winds as it crashes ashore, along with "life-threatening" flash and a dangerous storm surge, forecasters said. The -based centre reported that was about 70 miles southwest of Puerto Angel, , and about 90 miles southeast of Punta Maldonado. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a video message last night that all activities in the region were suspended, and urged people to stay in their homes or to move to shelters if they live in low-lying areas.

She said: "If you are in low-lying areas, near rivers, near waterways, it is best for you to go to shelters, to the shelters that have already been set up for this situation."

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Those living in the path of the storm should "stay tuned to official communications, stay indoors, and not go out", she added.

Around 2,000 shelters have now been set up across Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, alongside a mobilisation of 18,000 first responders.

Waves were seen crashing onto the esplanade in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca last night, swamping wooden boats that had been pulled up there for safety.

The beach quickly disappeared under pounding waves, and the rising tide inundated a number of waterfront restaurants.

Earlier in the day, fishermen in the town pulled their boats out of the water ahead of the storm's arrival.

But some surfers continued to ride waves at the Zicatela beach, despite red flags warning people to stay out of the water.

Forecasters said Erick was expected to lash Mexico's Pacific coast with heavy rain, strong winds and a fierce storm surge.

Rainfall of up to 16 inches (40cm) could be seen across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with smaller totals expected in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.

Laura Velazquez, Mexico's national civil defence coordinator, said Erick was forecast to bring "torrential" rains to multiple areas is southern Mexico. The mountainous region along the coast is prone to mudslides, with numerous rivers at risk of flooding.

An advisory from the US National Hurricane Center today read: "Erick is now an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane, and devastating wind damage is likely where the core moves onshore. conditions are already deteriorating in the warning area, and preparations to protect life and property should have been completed."

The change in the storm's path over the past 24 hours will likely be welcomed by residents of Acapulco, which was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis.

The Category 5 hurricane, which caught many unprepared, left at least 52 people dead and severely damaged almost all of the resort's hotels.