Hurricane John struck Mexico’s southern Pacific coast Monday night with fierce winds and heavy rainfall after strengthening from a tropical storm to major hurricane in a matter of hours. John’s rapid intensification caught authorities off guard as they scrambled to update their guidance to residents and keep pace with the stronger storm.

Two major weather systems are bringing heavy rain, high winds and more to Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on one side and the Caribbean on the other

Hurricane John is forecast to bring severe weather to the southern Mexico coast, including life-threatening flash flooding. Track its path.

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

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.

John was a tropical storm over Mexico early Tuesday Mexico Central Time, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory. The tropical storm had sustained wind speeds of 70 miles per hour. Flash flooding can occur well inland and away from the storm’s center.