India, June 18 -- Tropical Storm Erick has transformed into a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center stated that the hurricane was expected to bring "damaging winds and life-threatening flash floods to portions of southern Mexico" on Wednesday night and Thursday.

In its latest update, the center said that Erick is expected to reach "major hurricane strength" either Wednesday night or early Thursday as it approaches the coast of southern Mexico.

As of 11 am ET Wednesday, Erick had sustained winds of almost 85 mph, CBS News reported. The storm has higher gusts, and hurricane-force winds extend 15 miles from its center. Erick is the fifth-named storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season.

The hurricane center, on Wednesday morning, sa...