Hurricane Willa - LIVE: ‘Life-threatening’ Category 5 storm on track to hit Mexico with Texas also under threat

The 'extremely dangerous' storm is expected to hit Mexico's western coastline by Wednesday

US Coast Guard video shows destruction caused by Hurricane Michael on Florida coastline

Hurricane Willa has developed into a life-threatening storm as it barrels towards west Mexico in the eastern Pacific ocean.

The hurricane intensified into a Category 5 storm on Monday afternoon as it was expected to make landfall Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning between Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, prompting the governments of Sinaloa and Nayarit to prepare emergency shelters. Meanwhile, the US National Hurricane Centre has warned Hurricane Willa may "produce life-threatening storm surge, wind and rainfall over portions of southwestern and west-central Mexico beginning on Tuesday."

The potentially catastrophic storm could also produce "extremely dangerous" conditions like storm surge and rip tides along Mexico’s coastline, forecasters warned early Monday, as Hurricane Willa sustained winds of 155 miles per hour. The western Nayarit and southern Sinaloa states could see up to 18 inches of rain, along with parts of western Jalisco.

Follow along with our live coverage of Hurricane Willa.

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Key Points

• Hurricane Willa shows 'rapid intensification' as it barrels towards western Mexico
• The storm quickly became a Category 5 hurricane by Monday afternoon
• Mexico's western coastline could expect storm surge and heavy rainfall

[22 October 2018 17:10 · Chris Riotta]

Airline companies are cancelling flights for Tuesday ahead of the rapidly intensifying Hurricane Willa, expected to make landfall by Tuesday night or early Wednesday as a strong Category 4 hurricane — or even potentially a Category 5 storm — bringing heavy rainfall and storm surges to Mexico’s western coastline. 

[22 October 2018 17:30 · Chris Riotta]

Hurricane Willa was on track to make landfall by Tuesday night in western Mexico before reducing in strength as it passes over the Sierra Madre mountains. However, the Category 4 hurricane was still expected to bring heavy rain to parts of Texas. 

[22 October 2018 17:50 · Chris Riotta]

A hurricane warning was posted for Mexico’s western coast between San Blas and Mazatlan, including the Islas Marias, a nature reserve and federal prison directly in the forecast track of the storm.

Tropical storm warnings ranged from Playa Perula north to San Blas and from Mazatlan north to Bahia Tempehuaya. The center said Willa is expected make landfall late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Farther to the south, Tropical Storm Vicente weakened but was still expected to produce heavy rainfall and flooding over parts of southern and southwestern Mexico.

AP

[22 October 2018 18:00 · Chris Riotta]

Hurricane Willa has intensified into a Category 5 storm as it barrels towards western Mexico, threatening Texas and other regions across the Mexican coastline with storm surges and heavy floods. 

[22 October 2018 18:20 · Chris Riotta]

The potentially catastrophic hurricane has sustained winds of up to 160 miles per hour, after rapidly intensifying in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The storm may produce life-threatening conditions across the Mexican western coastline, as well as heavy rain throughout Texas. 

[22 October 2018 18:40 · Chris Riotta]

The US National Hurricane Centre says Hurricane Willa has grown into a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm on a track toward the Mexican coast south of Mazatlan.

Willa has maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kph), though it’s projected to weaken somewhat before hitting land late Tuesday. It is still likely to be an extremely dangerous hurricane when it hits.

It’s located about 135 miles (215 kilometers) south-southwest of Cabo Corrientes and is heading north at 7 mph (11 kph).

AP

[22 October 2018 19:15 · Chris Riotta]

Hurricane Willa has rapidly intensified amid an unusually active hurricane season, with at least 27 tropical systems having developed across the region over the year. 

The Category 5 storm threatens Mexico’s western coastline and portions of Texas as its expected to make landfall by Wednesday morning at the latest, according to forecasters.

[22 October 2018 20:32 · Chris Riotta]

Hurricane Willa is now the tenth major hurricane to have developed in the eastern Pacific Ocean during an unusually active hurricane season. Analysts predict heavy rain on Thursday.

[22 October 2018 20:35 · Chris Riotta]

That's all for The Independent's live coverage surrounding Hurricane Willa. Check out our initial analysis of the rapidly intensifying storm below.