John struck Mexico’s southern coast on Monday night as a Category 3 hurricane after rapidly strengthening in the Pacific, triggering warnings of “life-threatening” floods and mudslides.

Hurricane John has struck Mexico’s southern Pacific coast with life-threatening flood potential PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico — Hurricane John struck Mexico’s southern Pacific coast with life-threatening flood potential after growing into a major hurricane in a matter of hours.

Hurricane John is expected to bring dangerous winds, storm surge and life-threatening flash flooding to parts of southern Mexico.

Tropical Storm John whipped western Mexico with strong winds and heavy rain early Tuesday, bringing the risk of flooding and landslides. It had weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall on the Pacific coast as a Category 3 storm late Monday.

(Reuters) -Hurricane John has been downgraded to a tropical storm and is moving northwestward after it made landfall on Mexico's southern Pacific coast late on Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory.

The intensification of the storm caught officials off guard, and updated evacuation orders were rushed through.