Hurricane Olin hits Mexico’s Pacific coast

Hurricane Olin roared on Mexico’s Pacific coast between the tourist towns of Mazatlan and San Blas on Monday, as authorities suspended classes and set up shelters.

After developing into a hurricane Saturday, Olin quickly increased its strength, peaking as a Category 4 hurricane early Sunday with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center. ). But by late Sunday night, winds were back at 105 mph (165 kph).

The storm moved over or near Islas Marias, a former prison colony being developed as a tourist attraction. The island is sparsely populated, with few government employees and buildings made of brick or concrete.

Olin is expected to hit Mexico’s Pacific coast later on Monday along a sparsely populated, lagoon-dotted continental region south of Mazatlan.

By Sunday night, Orlene was about 85 miles (140 kilometers) northwest of Cape Corrientes — a land spot that juts into the Pacific Ocean south of Puerto Vallarta — and was 85 miles (140 kilometers) northwest of Puerto Vallarta early Sunday. mph (13 km/h) heading north.

A hurricane warning is in effect from San Blas to Mazatlan.

The government of Jalisco state, where Puerto Vallarta is located, suspended classes in the coastal town on Monday.

The state’s Office of Civil Protection released a video of the waves hitting the Cabo Corrientes pier.

In the state of Sinaloa, where Mazatlan is located, some emergency shelters have opened.

The center said the storm may begin to weaken as it moves closer to land. But it is still expected to hit like a hurricane.

It could bring up to 10 inches (25 cm) of flood-induced rainfall in some places, as well as coastal flooding and dangerous waves.

The ports of Manzanillo and Vallarta were closed to ships, and the Mexican Navy announced that the ports of Mazatlan, San Blas and Nuevo Vallarta were closed to small vessels.

Mexico’s National Water Commission said Orlene could cause “mudslides, rising water levels in rivers and streams, and flooding in low-lying areas.”

The hurricane center said hurricane winds extended about 15 miles (30 kilometers) from the center, and tropical storm winds extended up to 70 miles (110 kilometers).