Erick Strengthens To Hurricane Status Of Mexican Coast

This image provided by NOAA shows tropical storm Cosme taken at 5:00 a.m. EDT Tuesday June 25, 2013. The storm's maximum sustained winds early Tuesday are near 65 mph (100 kph) with additional strengthening expected. Cosme is likely to become a hurricane later in the day as it swirls in the Pacific off Mexico's coast. It is not expected to make landfall.(AP Photo/NOAA) (AP2013)

Miami – In the waters off of Mexico's Pacific coast, the storm system Erick was upgraded to a hurricane by the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

The center in Miami says Erick became a hurricane Saturday and is centered about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of Manzanillo and about 510 miles (820 kilometers) southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. It is moving northwest at 9 mph (15 kph) and has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (110 kph).

A hurricane watch is in effect for Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes.

Forecasters predict a northwest to west-northwest track over the next few days but say the storm should remain offshore. Rain accumulations from 3 to 5 inches are expected. Forecasters warn of flash floods.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.