Hurricane Erick slammed into Mexico’s Oaxaca state as a dangerous Category 3 storm Thursday morning, unleashing powerful winds at the coast while spreading heavy rain over the region.

Hurricane Erick strengthened in the Pacific Ocean and could become a major hurricane before striking Mexico, the National Hurricane Center warned.

Hurricane Erick made landfall in Oaxaca, Mexico, on Thursday and, according to the National Hurricane Center, has grown to an “extremely dangerous” storm. With hurricane season just beginning, and cuts to federal weather agencies planned,