The storm, which rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane before weakening slightly to Category 3 at landfall, struck between the resort cities of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido. It was the first hurricane to hit the country this season, which runs from May to November.

Hurricane Erick had strengthened to a Category 4 storm as it approached the coast but weakened to a Category 3 storm before making landfall on Thursday.

Authorities in southern Mexico were still assessing damage and watching rising rivers as rain from the remnants of Hurricane Erick doused the region