MEXICO CITY (AP) - A strengthening Tropical Storm Lane roared toward the hurricane- battered tip of the Baja California Peninsula early Friday, lashing Mexico's Pacific coast with winds and rain. The Mexican government issued a hurricane warning for Islas Marias, and a hurricane watch remained in effect along the Pacific coast from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes, said the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours.
Lane's maximum sustained winds were near 65 mph with higher gusts, an increase from late Thursday, the center said. It was still below the threshold of 74 mph for hurricane status, but further strengthening was forecast.
Earlier, Lane dumped rain and whipped up waves in Acapulco, where authorities closed the port to small boats Wednesday. Streets were covered in up to 16 inches of water—including the beachside Costera Miguel Aleman, which runs past many luxury hotels.
There was also some flooding at the Acapulco airport, although service was not interrupted.
At 8 a.m. EDT, Lane was centered about 340 miles southeast of Cabo San Lucas, the hurricane center said. It was moving northwest near 12 mph.
Its current path would take it parallel to Mexico's Pacific coast. Its outer bands would lash the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula before it was expected to turn back toward the Mexican mainland, near Culiacan. It was not expected to hit the United States.
The storm was following the same path as Hurricane John, which raked Mexico's Pacific coast early this month before slamming into Baja California, killing five people.
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On the Net: National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
