Terrifying footage caught from ISS shows Category 4 hurricane approaching popular tourist spot in Mexico

Eye-opening 4k footage caught from a camera on board the International Space Station shows the sheer scale of Hurricane Erick as it approaches the southern coast of Mexico.

Captured by the company SEN, which has created the world’s first commercial live stream from space, the footage shows the huge swirling clouds of the hurricane, which has been upgraded to Category 4 strength as it continues to advance.

Hurricane Erick is expected to make landfall over Mexico today (June 19), initially hitting either the western portions of the Mexican state of Oaxaca or the eastern portion of the Mexican state of Gurrero.

The storm is then expected to continue over Mexico during the day, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The latest footage, which was captured today, shows the eye of the hurricane as it looms in the sky.

SEN's footage of Hurricane Erick

What is a Category 4 Hurricane?

A Category 4 Hurricane is described by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a 'major' storm in which 'catastrophic damage will occur'.

Based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a Category 4 is the second highest rating that can be given, and is based only on a hurricane's maximum sustained wind speed.

Explaining a Category 4, the administration states: "Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months."

Early on June 19, winds in the storm were reaching nearly 140mph.

Where will Hurricane Erick hit?

Businesses have been boarding up in anticipation of the storm (FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP via Getty Images)

By Wednesday evening (June 18), Erick centered on a stretch of coastline between the popular tourist city of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca, and Acapulco, Guerrero to the northwest.

Puerto Escondido is a characterized by its relaxing beaches and oceanfront bars and restaurants, but on Wednesday, Mexico's president President Claudia Sheinbaum suspended all activities in the area.

People in the area have been urged to stay inside as the storm passes, with Sheinbaum saying: "If you are in low-lying areas, near rivers, near waterways, it is best for you to go to shelters, to the shelters that have already been set up for this situation."

Gov. Evelyn Salgado, from Guerrero, also shared a post on Twitter in which she said that all movement in Acapulco was suspended, with schools across the state closed on Thursday.

According to Fox Weather, Hurricane Erick will set the record for being the strongest June cyclone to make landfall along Mexico's Pacific coast.