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Hurricane batters Western MexicoSun Oct 12 00:20:49 UTC 2008 |
Hurricane batters Western MexicoSun Oct 12 00:30:44 UTC 2008 |
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 storm 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 evacuated | People 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, and later to 1, but said it remained "life-threatening". | |
| Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? Tell us about what is happening near you by filling in the form below. | Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? Tell us about what is happening near you by filling in the form below. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |