Hurricane Norma strengthened as it churned toward the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, threatening heavy rainfall beginning on Saturday at the area’s popular tourist resorts.
After weakening slightly earlier in the day, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Norma was again at Category 3 strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (193 km/h) as it headed north.
Norma is located some 195 miles (314 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, a popular resort city known for its golden sand beaches, nightlife and whale watching. The “major hurricane,” according to Air Force hurricane hunters, is advancing to the north at a speed of 8 mph (13 km/h), the NHC said.
“It’s a very strong storm,” state Governor Victor Manuel Castro told reporters at a press conference, describing it as “erratic.”
Castro called on all bars, clubs and other businesses to close on Friday evening, and for people to stay indoors. He added that public transport will close from 9 p.m. to allow local hotel workers to get home.
Shelters have been set up with a total capacity for 10,000 people, he added.
