By Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Diego Oré MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Hurricane Erick strengthened rapidly into a major Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday as it churned toward Mexico's southern Pacific Coast,

Erick is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves towards southern Mexico, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds being a major concern for the area

Hurricane Erick could become a major storm — a Category 3 hurricane or higher — before it reaches Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday.