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Hurricane batters Western Mexico Hurricane batters Western Mexico
(39 minutes later)
Hurricane Norbert has struck Mexico's Baja California Sur peninsula with heavy rains and 103mph (165km/h) winds.Hurricane Norbert has struck Mexico's Baja California Sur peninsula with heavy rains and 103mph (165km/h) winds.
The Category 2 strom made landfall near the city of La Paz, blowing down roofs and uprooting trees. Thousands of residents have fled to shelters.The Category 2 strom made landfall near the city of La Paz, blowing down roofs and uprooting trees. Thousands of residents have fled to shelters.
Forecasters say Norbert will cross the Gulf of California, before making a second landfall on Mexico's north-western mainland.Forecasters say Norbert will cross the Gulf of California, before making a second landfall on Mexico's north-western mainland.
It is expected to hit the agricultural states of Sonora and Sinaloa later.It is expected to hit the agricultural states of Sonora and Sinaloa later.
Nearly 3,000 people were evacuated to temporary shelters on Mexico's Pacific coast as the storm came ashore, bringing with it 13ft (4m) waves.Nearly 3,000 people were evacuated to temporary shelters on Mexico's Pacific coast as the storm came ashore, bringing with it 13ft (4m) waves.
People evacuatedPeople evacuated
Baja California Sur's civil protection chief, Jose Gajon, said about 1,000 people were in shelters and more were expected.Baja California Sur's civil protection chief, Jose Gajon, said about 1,000 people were in shelters and more were expected.
"If it is necessary, we will use authorities to take to shelters those who refuse to go," he added."If it is necessary, we will use authorities to take to shelters those who refuse to go," he added.
Rescue teams have already evacuated people from homes made from wooden boards and sheet metal in low-lying areas.Rescue teams have already evacuated people from homes made from wooden boards and sheet metal in low-lying areas.
The wind uprooted palm trees and water rose knee-high in some streets of the town of Puerto San Carlos.The wind uprooted palm trees and water rose knee-high in some streets of the town of Puerto San Carlos.
"We left our house because we were scared. Our house is pretty poor and the water was already coming in," said Maria Espinosa, 54, who arrived at a school with her daughter and two grandchildren."We left our house because we were scared. Our house is pretty poor and the water was already coming in," said Maria Espinosa, 54, who arrived at a school with her daughter and two grandchildren.
Norbert is not expected to strengthen significantly as it crosses the Gulf of California, the US National Hurricane Center said.Norbert is not expected to strengthen significantly as it crosses the Gulf of California, the US National Hurricane Center said.
It is forecast to weaken once it moves into north-western Mexico on a path towards Arizona.It is forecast to weaken once it moves into north-western Mexico on a path towards Arizona.
Earlier, meteorologists downgraded Hurricane Norbert from Category 3 to 2 but said it remained "life-threatening".Earlier, meteorologists downgraded Hurricane Norbert from Category 3 to 2 but said it remained "life-threatening".
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