Hurricane John's rapid intensification forced Mexico's Pacific tourist hubs of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido to brace quickly for a Category 3 storm.

PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico (AP) — Two people are dead after former hurricane John barreled into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, blowing tin roofs off houses, triggering mudslides and toppling scores of trees, officials said Tuesday.

Tropical Storm John struck Mexico’s southern Pacific coast with life-threatening flood potential after growing into a major hurricane in a matter of hours.

John came ashore near the town of Punta Maldonado late Monday night as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph) and weakened back to tropical storm status early Tuesday with maximum sustained wind speeds of 40 mph (65 kph).

By Fredy Garcia PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico (Reuters) -Hurricane John hit Mexico's southern Pacific coast late on Monday as a major category 3 storm, with authorities warning residents to protect themselves against potentially deadly storm surges and torrential rain.

Hurricane John hit the same coastal area of Mexico where Hurricane Otis ravaged Acapulco last year, killing 47 people.

At least two people died after Hurricane John slammed into Mexico's southern Pacific coast overnight, authorities reported Tuesday, with the cyclone since downgraded to a tropical storm and expected to weaken further.