This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8234212.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mexico lashed by Hurricane Jimena Hurricane weakens on Mexico coast
(about 4 hours 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 weakened, hours after it crashed into Mexico's Baja California peninsula forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee.
Jimena has weakened to a category two storm after earlier nearing a potentially devastating category five. Jimena had eased off before it hit land and weakened to a category one storm afterwards, US disaster officials said.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated, but many others have stayed behind, in case their homes are looted. But it is still bringing heavy rain and winds of 145km/h (90mph) and may cause deadly mudslides and flash floods.
Meteorologists say the storm, which is predicted to move north up the peninsula, remains a serious threat. The storm is making its way along the Pacific coast and is expected to move back inland in the next two days.
In some towns, roads have been turned into muddy rivers, and power and sewage systems have been overwhelmed. Thousands of residents have been evacuated but many others have stayed behind worried that their homes could be looted.
But the storm's centre appears to have swerved past Baja California's resort-rich southern tip, though flooding there is still widespread.
Shanties hit
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) forecast to fall on the southern half of Baja California and parts of western Mexico. In some towns, roads have been turned into muddy rivers and power and sewage systems have been overwhelmed.
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. Although the storm's centre swerved past Baja California's resort-rich southern tip, it still caused widespread flooding there.
It was sheeting with rain along the peninsula, with the US National Hurricane Center warning that up to 38cm (15in) could be expected in some areas of western Mexico over the next 48 hours.
Early on Wednesday families huddled in a darkened school under dark grey skies in a slum north of the tourist resort of Los Cabos after electricity failed.
"People are really worried," said 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.
Stockpiling food
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.
The storm lashed the coast, but has now veered slightly westwards
"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."
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 before the hurricane hit, leaving many resorts looking deserted.
Post-hurricane preparations Many schools, ports and businesses remain closed.
The federal government has discontinued its hurricane warning for the southern tip of the peninsula, though it remains in effect elsewhere in Baja California. 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.
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.
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.
You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions