Pamela forecast to intensify into hurricane and bring life-threatening flooding to parts of Mexico and Texas

Tropical Storm Pamela is expected to be "near major hurricane strength" by the time it makes landfall Wednesday morning on the west-central coast of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday in a public advisory. The storm is expected to concoct "life-threatening" storm surge, dangerous winds, heavy rains and a threat for "significant and life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides" across affected areas. 

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Pamela is moving north and expected to continue in the general direction throughout the afternoon, followed by a faster northeastward motion Tuesday night, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

The storm has maximum sustained winds of nearly 80 miles per hour with even higher gusts. The center forecasts "steady strengthening" to occur Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning. The storm is expected to pass south of Baja California's southern tip overnight Tuesday before making landfall in Bahia Tempehuaya to Escuinapa — which is currently under a hurricane warning — in west-central Mexico.