Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Tulum as a strong Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds at approximately 7:15 on Friday morning.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has forecast that the region will experience life-threatening winds, up to six feet of storm surge, and up to ten inches of rainfall.
The storm is tracking across the Yucatan peninsula with 175km/h winds and a dangerous storm surge, with destructive winds and torrential rainfall. It is expected to weaken as it tracks across the peninsula and emerges in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday evening.
Some of the worst conditions are to the north of Tulum, in Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.
BBC reports that beaches are closed, and thousands of troops have been deployed to help as the storm hits the country's southeast shoreline.
The NHC warned that hurricane conditions were "starting to occur" in the region and urged people to take shelter.
Beryl wreaked havoc in Jamaica on Wednesday, leaving 400,000 people without power and causing extensive damage to buildings. Meanwhile, Grenada experienced "unimaginable" destruction when the storm hit on Monday, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell reporting that 98% of buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Across the Caribbean, at least ten people are known to have died, with others still reported as missing.
According to The Independent, Hurricane Beryl will bring dangerous rip currents to the Gulf Coast over the weekend before likely hitting southern Texas on Monday.
Global Affairs Canada is warning travellers to avoid non-essential travel.
Open Jaw is following the story closely.
