Many residents and tourists in Mexico are bracing themselves for the worst as Hurricane Patricia prepares to make landfall later today and wreak havoc across the Eastern Pacific coast.

The storm, which formed suddenly on Tuesday night and quickly strengthened over the last few days into a catastrophic Category 5 storm, is barreling toward Southwestern Mexico, and is expected to make landfall later today, near the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta and the port of Manzanillo.

The storm is considered extremely dangerous and those in the area are being asked to either evacuate or exercise extreme caution. Here is everything you need to know about this monumental storm.

It Is The Strongest Storm On Record


(Photo: NOAA)

The storm's rapid strength has seen a combination of 200 mph winds and an extremely low barometric pressure of 880 mb, which is making it the strongest hurricane ever recorded, and the most powerful tropical cyclone of 2015. Because of this strength, forecasters are warning that it could bring potentially catastrophic damage.

Several Communities Among The Mexican Coast Are Affected


(Photo: Flickr)

The storm is expected to make landfall late tonight into early Saturday, before going over the mountainous terrain in the middle of the country, which should help it break up and weaken. According to the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Warning is in effect for San Blas to Punta San Telmo, while a Hurricane Watch is in effect for East of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for East of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas and North of San Blas to El Roblito.

A state of emergency has been declared in over 50 municipalities in Colima, Nayarit and Jalisco states, which includes Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.

The Storm Could Bring Catastrophic Conditions


(Photo: Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding is expected due to high winds, salt water storm surge and inland freshwater flooding from heavy rains. When the storm reaches the mountains, it could also bring landslides. The winds are also powerful enough to potentially lift automobiles, destroy homes that are not sturdily built with cement and steel, and fully envelop and drag anyone caught outside once the storm hits.

How You Can Prepare


(Photo: Flickr)

Emergency officials have been working to evacuate the areas most directly affected and are encouraging people to get as inland as possible. Airports are already closed, and as many as 50,000 people are being moved away from the coast and into shelters in the Vallarta-Nayarit area. Schools are also closed and patients at medical facilities are being moved to the safest rooms possible, while those with non life-threatening illnesses and injuries being encouraged to stay home in the meantime.

For those who are unable to evacuate, make sure to stay somewhere safe, and keep homes protected with boards on windows and doors, and heavy sandbags to stem flooding if possible. Remain stocked up on non-perishable food items as well, because it could be a while for roads to be cleared and power restored.

For a live stream of the storm as it continues, click here.

For those affected, stay safe.