Hurricane Patricia has hit the western coast of Mexico, tearing down trees, sweeping away cars and forcing thousands of people to flee.
There were reports of flooding and landslides after winds of 165mph (270kph) made landfall.
TV news reports showed toppled trees and lampposts, cars and buses being swept away and flooded streets after heavy rain sparked flash flooding.
However, there were no initial reports of casualties and Patricia has now been downgraded to a Category 1 storm (74-95mph).
Forecasters had warned of "catastrophic" consequences as the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere made its way towards the coast.
Some 15,000 tourists were moved from the beach resort of Puerto Vallarta amid fears Patricia would either hit there or the major cargo port of Manzanillo.
It eventually missed both, threading its way in between at Punta Perula.
"The first reports confirm that the damage has been less than those expected from a hurricane of this magnitude," President Enrique Pena Nieto said late on Friday.
However, he added "we cannot yet let our guard down".
People walk along the beach under a steady rain as they await the arrival of Hurricane Patricia in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Image: Rebecca Blackwell / AP/Press Association Images
The projected path of the hurricane - which at one point sustained winds of 200mph (325kph) - takes it over a mountainous region dotted with hamlets that are at risk of suffering mudslides and flash floods.
Some 10 inches of rain fell in 24 hours in parts of Jalisco state.
The government has also warned that ash and other material from the volcano of Colima, about 130 miles (210km) from Puerto Vallarta, could mix with massive rainfall to cause "liquid cement" mudflows that envelop nearby villages.
Hotels in Puerto Vallarta were either evacuated or tourists moved into special hurricane "safe rooms" before Patricia hit.
Loudspeakers along the resort's shore warned people to leave.
Officials later allowed about 200 tourists to return to two hotels.
Flights in and out of the region were cancelled, leaving many with no option but to stay and ride out the hurricane.
Meanwhile, 10 million people in Texas have been warned of flash floods as the weather system mixes with a local cyclone.
The authorities are urging people not to travel and to stay indoors.
Heavy rain led to the cancellation of Friday's second practice session ahead of the Formula One grand prix, which is being staged in state capital Austin.
