Mexico: Hurricane Lorena skirts east coast of Baja California peninsula September 21 /update 4

Event

Hurricane Lorena made landfall as a Category 1 storm over the southeastern portions of Baja California Sur late (local time) Friday, September 20. As of 06:00 on Saturday, September 21, Lorena has moved back over the Gulf of California, and the government of Mexico has discontinued all the watches and warnings for the west coast of the Baja California peninsula. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Baja California peninsula from Santa Rosalia to Los Barriles. Additionally, a Hurricane Watch has been issued for the east coast of the peninsula from Santa Rosalia to Bahia San Juan Bautista and for the northwestern coast of mainland Mexico from Altata to Bahia Kino.

As of 06:00 on Saturday, Hurricane Lorena is located at approximately 25.0°N, 110.5°W (map here). The storm has maximum sustained winds of 120 kph (75 mph) and is moving northwest at 15 kph (9 mph). The hurricane is expected to maintain its intensity through Saturday as it remains over the Gulf of California, but is forecast to weaken on Sunday, September 22, before dissipating on Monday, September 23.

Life-threatening flash flooding, damaging winds, and high storm surge are likely throughout the Baja California peninsula. Associated power outages and disruptions to transportation and business services are possible in areas forecast to be affected by the system over the coming days.

Advice

Individuals in areas forecast to be affected by the storm are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm flight reservations, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate adverse weather and power and transportation disruptions, and remember that running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and never drive through flooded streets; floodwater may also contain wastewater and chemical products.