Erick weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall as a major hurricane on Mexico's southern Pacific coast on Thursday, leaving flooded streets, damaged boats and buildings in Oaxaca as authorities warned of dangerous rains.

Hurricane Erick lashed communities along the southwestern coast of Mexico on Thursday with destructive wind and torrential rain as it made landfall, raising fears of life-threatening flooding and mudslides as terrified residents hunkered down in homes and shelters for safety.

Authorities in southern Mexico were still assessing damage and watching rising rivers as rain from the remnants of Hurricane Erick doused the region