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Many ignore Mexican storm alert Many ignore Mexican storm alert
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of residents in Mexico's Baja California peninsula have ignored pleas to evacuate as Hurricane Jimena bears down on the region.Thousands of residents in Mexico's Baja California peninsula have ignored pleas to evacuate as Hurricane Jimena bears down on the region.
It has weakened to a category three storm but could still be near "major hurricane strength" when it makes landfall on Wednesday, say experts.It has weakened to a category three storm but could still be near "major hurricane strength" when it makes landfall on Wednesday, say experts.
The US-based National Hurricane Center has warned of heavy rain, coastal flooding and mudslides.The US-based National Hurricane Center has warned of heavy rain, coastal flooding and mudslides.
Many shanty-town dwellers have stayed put, in case their homes are looted.Many shanty-town dwellers have stayed put, in case their homes are looted.
Some 10,000 families have been evacuated, but many others are still huddling in fragile shelters. Some 10,000 families have been evacuated, but many others are still huddling in flimsy shelters.
Howling windsHowling winds
"Unfortunately we have families that are refusing to leave their homes, so if it becomes necessary, they will be evacuated by force for their own good," Francisco Cota, civil defence chief in the Mexican resort of Los Cabos, told AFP news agency."Unfortunately we have families that are refusing to leave their homes, so if it becomes necessary, they will be evacuated by force for their own good," Francisco Cota, civil defence chief in the Mexican resort of Los Cabos, told AFP news agency.
Several tourists in Los Cabos were caught off guard by the storm
Las Cabos has already been pummelled with howling winds and torrential rains, as tourists hunkered down in boarded-up hotels.Las Cabos has already been pummelled with howling winds and torrential rains, as tourists hunkered down in boarded-up hotels.
Jimena came close to becoming a category five storm overnight - the most dangerous there is - but weakened as it approached land. Jimena came close to becoming a category five storm - the most dangerous there is - but weakened as it approached land.
Its maximum sustained winds have fallen to 125 mph (205km/h), but residents of Los Cabos were still uneasy.Its maximum sustained winds have fallen to 125 mph (205km/h), but residents of Los Cabos were still uneasy.
"I've never seen a storm this big in the 23 years I have lived here," one told Reuters news agency."I've never seen a storm this big in the 23 years I have lived here," one told Reuters news agency.
Jimena is the second hurricane to pound Mexico this season. Hurricane Andres swept a fisherman to his death in Acapulco in June.Jimena is the second hurricane to pound Mexico this season. Hurricane Andres swept a fisherman to his death in Acapulco in June.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Erika formed in the Atlantic, east of Antigua and Barbuda, the National Hurricane Center said.Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Erika formed in the Atlantic, east of Antigua and Barbuda, the National Hurricane Center said.