This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-29201533
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Hurricane Odile lashes Mexico's Baja California resort | Hurricane Odile lashes Mexico's Baja California resort |
(35 minutes later) | |
Hurricane Odile has hit the resort of Los Cabos in western Mexico, uprooting trees and confining thousands of holidaymakers to their hotels. | Hurricane Odile has hit the resort of Los Cabos in western Mexico, uprooting trees and confining thousands of holidaymakers to their hotels. |
The storm - rated category three, with winds of up to 200km/h (125 mph) made landfall on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. | The storm - rated category three, with winds of up to 200km/h (125 mph) made landfall on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. |
Mexican authorities have declared an alert in the area, warning of storm surges, landslides and flooding. | Mexican authorities have declared an alert in the area, warning of storm surges, landslides and flooding. |
They have also prepared shelter for some 30,000 people. | They have also prepared shelter for some 30,000 people. |
US Marines have been placed on stand-by to operate emergency equipment in case of landslides. | US Marines have been placed on stand-by to operate emergency equipment in case of landslides. |
The US National Hurricane Center in Miami had earlier said Odile would be a category four hurricane, with winds of up to 135 mph, but it lost some strength as it reached the coast. | The US National Hurricane Center in Miami had earlier said Odile would be a category four hurricane, with winds of up to 135 mph, but it lost some strength as it reached the coast. |
Officials said electricity would be shut off in the area to avoid damage from power lines if they came down. | Officials said electricity would be shut off in the area to avoid damage from power lines if they came down. |
At least 26,000 foreign tourists and 4,000 Mexicans were in the region, local officials said, and those in areas at risk of flooding were being evacuated. | At least 26,000 foreign tourists and 4,000 Mexicans were in the region, local officials said, and those in areas at risk of flooding were being evacuated. |
The region is home to massive resort complexes, as well as fishing communities and low-lying shantytowns. | The region is home to massive resort complexes, as well as fishing communities and low-lying shantytowns. |
Los Cabos resident Felipa Flores said she was heading for a shelter. "Later on we're going to be cut off and my house of wood and laminated cardboard won't stand up to much," she told the Associated Press news agency. | Los Cabos resident Felipa Flores said she was heading for a shelter. "Later on we're going to be cut off and my house of wood and laminated cardboard won't stand up to much," she told the Associated Press news agency. |
Luis Puente, the head of Mexico's civil protection agency, told reporters that 164 shelters had been readied with a capacity for 30,000 people. | Luis Puente, the head of Mexico's civil protection agency, told reporters that 164 shelters had been readied with a capacity for 30,000 people. |
Storm experts said it was set to be the strongest hurricane to hit the southern tip of the peninsula since Kiko in 1989, which landed as a category three. | Storm experts said it was set to be the strongest hurricane to hit the southern tip of the peninsula since Kiko in 1989, which landed as a category three. |
Are you in Baja California? Has the storm affected you? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |