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Mexico lashed by Hurricane Jimena Mexico lashed by Hurricane Jimena
(41 minutes later)
Hurricane Jimena has lashed the middle of Mexico's Baja California peninsula with rains and winds, forcing residents and tourists to take refuge.Hurricane Jimena has lashed the middle of Mexico's Baja California peninsula with rains and winds, forcing residents and tourists to take refuge.
Jimena has weakened to a category two storm after earlier nearing a potentially devastating category five.Jimena has weakened to a category two storm after earlier nearing a potentially devastating category five.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated, but many others have stayed behind, in case their homes are looted.Thousands of residents have been evacuated, but many others have stayed behind, in case their homes are looted.
Meteorologists have warned the storm, which is predicted to move north up the peninsula, remains a serious threat. Meteorologists say the storm, which is predicted to move north up the peninsula, remains a serious threat.
In some towns, roads have been turned into muddy rivers, and power and sewage systems have been overwhelmed.In some towns, roads have been turned into muddy rivers, and power and sewage systems have been overwhelmed.
But the storm's centre appears to have swerved past Baja California's resort-rich southern tip, though flooding there is still widespread.But the storm's centre appears to have swerved past Baja California's resort-rich southern tip, though flooding there is still widespread.
Shanties hitShanties hit
Storm winds had weakened to about 165km/h (105mph) by early Wednesday, with stronger gusts, said the US National Hurricane Center.Storm winds had weakened to about 165km/h (105mph) by early Wednesday, with stronger gusts, said the US National Hurricane Center.
People are really worried... we could end up losing everything Ilda Ramirez, 33People are really worried... we could end up losing everything Ilda Ramirez, 33
It was sheeting with rain, with 12 to 25cm (5 to 10in) of rain forecast to fall on the southern half of Baja California and parts of western Mexico. It was sheeting with rain, with 12 to 25cm (5 to 10in) forecast to fall on the southern half of Baja California and parts of western Mexico.
Under the dark grey skies, families huddled in a darkened school in a slum north of the tourist resort of Los Cabos after electricity failed.Under the dark grey skies, families huddled in a darkened school in a slum north of the tourist resort of Los Cabos after electricity failed.
"People are really worried," Ilda Ramirez, 33, who lives in a shack made from cardboard and scrap materials. "People are really worried," said Ilda Ramirez, 33, who lives in a shack made from cardboard and scrap materials.
"I know we could end up losing everything," she told Reuters news agency."I know we could end up losing everything," she told Reuters news agency.
A man seeking shelter in another school, out-of-work builder Paulino Hernandez, also worried about what the hurricane might do to his house.A man seeking shelter in another school, out-of-work builder Paulino Hernandez, also worried about what the hurricane might do to his house.
"Instead of giving out a few sheets of roofing every year, [authorities] should give us materials to build real houses - wood, or even bricks," he told AP news agency."Instead of giving out a few sheets of roofing every year, [authorities] should give us materials to build real houses - wood, or even bricks," he told AP news agency.
"Every year it's the same thing - they give out a few sheets of roofing, and the next year it has to be replaced" after being destroyed by a hurricane."Every year it's the same thing - they give out a few sheets of roofing, and the next year it has to be replaced" after being destroyed by a hurricane.
Further north up the peninsula, families barricaded themselves inside their homes after stocking up on food and water, in anticipation that roads could be washed out. Further north up the peninsula, families barricaded themselves inside their homes after stocking up on food and water in anticipation that roads could be washed out.
Thousands of tourists left ahead of the hurricane, leaving many resorts looking deserted.Thousands of tourists left ahead of the hurricane, leaving many resorts looking deserted.
Post-hurricane preparationsPost-hurricane preparations
The federal government has discontinued its hurricane warning for the southern tip of the peninsula, though it remains in effect elsewhere in Baja California.The federal government has discontinued its hurricane warning for the southern tip of the peninsula, though it remains in effect elsewhere in Baja California.
Schools, many ports and businesses are closed.Schools, many ports and businesses are closed.
Rescue workers from the Red Cross and Mexican military are preparing for post-hurricane relief, and two army cargo planes have flown in medical supplies, reported AP.Rescue workers from the Red Cross and Mexican military are preparing for post-hurricane relief, and two army cargo planes have flown in medical supplies, reported AP.
Jimena still poses "a high level of danger", Mexican National Weather Service meteorologist Dario Rodriguez was quoted as warning. Jimena still posed "a high level of danger", said Mexican National Weather Service meteorologist Dario Rodriguez.
Do you live on the Baja peninsula? Did you move out of the area to avoid Jimena or have you stayed to face the hurricane?Do you live on the Baja peninsula? Did you move out of the area to avoid Jimena or have you stayed to face the hurricane?
Let us know if you are affected by the events in this story by filling in the form below.Let us know if you are affected by the events in this story by filling in the form below.
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