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Hurricane Odile crashed into northwestern Mexico's Los Cabos resorts, taking down trees with powerful winds as thousands of tourists hunkered down in luxury hotels converted into shelters.
The "dangerous" category three storm in the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale packed 205km/h winds when it made landfall near Cabo San Lucas late on Sunday evening, the US National Hurricane Centre said.
The storm took down trees, power lines and roof tiles as it arrived in the Baja California peninsula, said Mexico's National Civil Protection coordinator Luis Felipe Puente. Forecasters warned that heavy rains could produce life-threatening floods and mudslides.
Some 26,000 foreign tourists and 4,000 Mexicans were staying in 18 hotels converted into temporary shelters, officials said.
"It took us by surprise. The sea is rough. I think this is going to get very ugly," said Steve Clement, a surfer from Hawaii.
Some 7,000 residents were evacuated from low-lying areas and took refuge in shelters or with relatives, Felipe Puente told local television. Operations at Los Cabos International Airport were suspended.
Authorities cut power in Cabo San Lucas to prevent electrocutions while officials said schools would close and independence day festivities would be called off. Hundreds of troops were deployed to help the population.
"The tourists are not panicking," said Daniel Manzini, assistant manager at the Hyatt Place hotel in San Jose del Cabo, which was nearly full. "The hotel is safe and can be converted into a shelter."
Gordon Peter, a 65-year-old US tourist, had been in Los Cabos for a week when his flight home was cancelled on Sunday. "I'm not afraid but I want to go home," he said. "I'll spend the night in the lobby of my hotel. I could not find another hotel room."
The hurricane had grown to category four strength earlier in the day before weakening, and little change in strength was expected following fears it could grow even bigger.
Calling Odile a "highly dangerous" hurricane, Mexico's National Water Commission director David Korenfeld said a weather alert was issued for the entire peninsula.
After landfall, the hurricane was expected to gradually weaken as it moves over or along Baja California's coast today.
The hurricane hit the Pacific coast around the one-year anniversary of a twin tropical storm battering on both coasts that left 157 dead.


Mexico's Baja California battered by Hurricane Odile as tourists take shelter

Tourists rest inside a shelter at a resort in Los Cabos, on Mexico's Baja California peninsula, on Sunday. Photo AP

Tourists rest inside a shelter at a resort in Los Cabos, on Mexico's Baja California peninsula, on Sunday.Photo AP

People watch the strong waves caused by the hurricane Odile in the town of Tecpan de Galeana, Costa Grande. Photo: Xinhua

Waves hit the coast of Los Cabos, Mexico. Photo: AP

A police vehicle is seen under heavy rains due to the influence of hurricane Odile. Photo: EPA

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Thousands of tourists take shelter as category three storm pounds peninsula amid flood threat


Hurricane Odile crashed into northwestern Mexico's Los Cabos resorts, taking down trees with powerful winds as thousands of tourists hunkered down in luxury hotels converted into shelters.
