Hurricane Erick is nearing a destructive landfall in southern Mexico at Category 4 intensity with life-threatening storm surge, rainfall flooding and high winds.Erick rapidly intensified from a 40 mph tropical storm Tuesday morning to Cat 4 intensity at midnight Thursday morning.

Erick was nearing landfall along the western coast of Mexico as a Category 4 hurricane early Thursday, as forecasters warned it had "extremely destructive winds near its core."

Hurricane Erick continues to rapidly intensify and reached Category 4 strength as the extremely dangerous storm continues to approach the southern coast of Mexico in an area popular with travelers.