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Hurricane Willa: Mexico prepares for 'extremely dangerous' storm 'Let’s not play macho': Mexico evacuates areas as Hurricane Willa approaches
(35 minutes later)
Authorities are rushing to evacuate low-lying areas and set up shelters as an “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Willa with winds of 130mph (215km/h) heads toward landfall along a stretch of Mexico’s Pacific coast dotted with high-rise resorts, surfing beaches and fishing villages.Authorities are rushing to evacuate low-lying areas and set up shelters as an “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Willa with winds of 130mph (215km/h) heads toward landfall along a stretch of Mexico’s Pacific coast dotted with high-rise resorts, surfing beaches and fishing villages.
Thousands of people were evacuated, buildings were boarded up and schools were closed in the low-lying region where towns sit amid farmland tucked between the sea and lagoons.
Residents sealed off windows and doors with large wooden planks on hotels facing the historic downtown boardwalk of Mazatlán, a popular coastal city in the northwestern state of Sinaloa.
Further south, meanwhile, Mexican officials reported that there had been 12 deaths related to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Vicente.Further south, meanwhile, Mexican officials reported that there had been 12 deaths related to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Vicente.
Willa briefly reached category 5 strength, then weakened a bit to category 4. But the US National Hurricane Center warned that it still was likely to bring “life-threatening storm surge, wind and rainfall” to parts of west-central and south-western Mexico when it makes landfall on Tuesday afternoon. Forecast to be one of the most powerful hurricanes to enter Mexico from the Pacific in recent years, Willa briefly reached category 5 strength, then weakened a bit to category 4.
Workers taped up windows in hotels and officials ordered schools closed in a low-lying region where towns sit amid farmland tucked between the sea and lagoons. A decree of “extraordinary emergency” was issued for 19 municipalities in Nayarit and Sinaloa states, the federal Interior Department announced. But the US National Hurricane Center warned that it still was likely to bring “life-threatening storm surge, wind and rainfall” to parts of west-central and south-western Mexico when it makes landfall on Tuesday afternoon.
Officials said 7,000 to 8,000 people were being evacuated from low-lying areas, mostly in Sinaloa state. A decree of “extraordinary emergency” was issued for 19 municipalities in Nayarit and Sinaloa states, the federal Interior Department announced.
The hurricane was nearing the Islas Marías, a group of islands about 60 miles (96km) offshore that include a nature preserve and a federal prison. Forecasters said Willa would then blow ashore in late afternoon somewhere along a 140-mile stretch from the resort city of Mazatlán to San Blas. Nayarit governor Antonio Echevarría said more than 10,000 people were being evacuated and schools would be closed. He warned locals not to defy the storm.
Willa was likely to weaken somewhat, forecasters said it still was expected to be a powerful category 3 storm when it hits land. “Let’s not play the macho,” he said. “Let’s not act like superheroes. It’s a very strong hurricane, very powerful, and we don’t want any tragedies.”
At a gas station on the outskirts of Mazatlán, a steady line of cars waited to refuel and shop at the neighboring convenience store on Monday night.
Station attendant Zulema Pardo said residents had been streaming through for hours to stock up on basic items, buying enormous jugs of water and gasoline, and leaving the bread shelf completely empty.
“People are really scared,” she said. “People are crazy and worked up.”
The hurricane was nearing the Islas Marías, a group of islands about 60 miles (96km) offshore that include a nature preserve and a federal prison. Forecasters said Willa would then blow ashore in late afternoon somewhere along a 140-mile stretch from Mazatlán to San Blas.
Early Tuesday, Willa was centered about 75 miles south-west of the Islas Marías and 175 miles south-south-west of Mazatlán. It was moving north at 5mph, but was forecast to make a turn to the northeast.Early Tuesday, Willa was centered about 75 miles south-west of the Islas Marías and 175 miles south-south-west of Mazatlán. It was moving north at 5mph, but was forecast to make a turn to the northeast.
Hurricane-force winds extended 35 miles from the storm’s core, and tropical storm-force winds were up to 125 miles out.Hurricane-force winds extended 35 miles from the storm’s core, and tropical storm-force winds were up to 125 miles out.
The US hurricane center warned that Willa could bring 6 to 12in (15 to 30cm) of rain – with up to 18in in some places – to parts of Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa states, with flash flooding and landslides possible in mountainous areas.The US hurricane center warned that Willa could bring 6 to 12in (15 to 30cm) of rain – with up to 18in in some places – to parts of Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa states, with flash flooding and landslides possible in mountainous areas.
Farther to the south, Tropical Storm Vicente had weakened to a tropical depression early Tuesday, but it was still bringing heavy rainfall that caused dangerous flooding in southern and south-western Mexico.Farther to the south, Tropical Storm Vicente had weakened to a tropical depression early Tuesday, but it was still bringing heavy rainfall that caused dangerous flooding in southern and south-western Mexico.
Officials in Oaxaca state said seven adults and five children had lost their lives in drownings or mudslides.Officials in Oaxaca state said seven adults and five children had lost their lives in drownings or mudslides.
This article includes reporting by AP and Reuters
MexicoMexico
HurricanesHurricanes
AmericasAmericas
Natural disasters and extreme weatherNatural disasters and extreme weather
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