Mexico confirms hurricane deaths

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At least three people were killed when Hurricane John swept through Mexico's Baja California peninsula at the weekend, officials say.

One of them was a Briton whose camper van had been swept away by floodwaters, the state's interior secretary said.

Two Mexicans had drowned in strong river currents, Victor Guluarte added. Three others are reported missing.

Parts of the state remain isolated as the weakening storm moves into the US, where flood warnings have been issued.

The remnants of Hurricane John have flooded neighbourhoods in Ciudad Juarez, near the US border.

Several days of heavy rains have also been reported in the American south-west.

The US National Weather Service has issued flood watches or warnings for parts of Texas and New Mexico.

Helicopter help

Hurricane John struck Baja California on Saturday with gusting winds and heavy rains, forcing locals and tourists into shelters.

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Major tourist resorts on the peninsula's southern tip escaped a direct hit from John's 165km/h (105mph) winds.

It weakened to a category one storm as it knocked out electricity and downed trees in the state capital, La Paz, home to about 200,000 people.

People with homes in low-lying areas crowded into temporary shelters.

Officials say navy helicopters are being used to reach those in northern areas of the state that have been cut off by floodwaters.