Perilous
Times and Climate Change
Hurricane Jova packs 120 mph winds as it heads for Mexico
From Rafael Romo, Senior Latin American Affairs Editor
updated 6:31 AM EST, Mon October 10, 2011
Hurricane Jova was about 260 miles southwest of Manzanillo,
Mexico, early Monday, moving at about 8 mph an hour.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Jova grows to a Category 3 hurricane, forecasters say
* The storm is 265 miles southwest of Manzanillio, Mexico
* Emergency officials are opening shelters and positioning
troops ahead of the storm
* Forecasters warn of life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions
(CNN) -- Jova rapidly strengthened off the western coast of Mexico
early Monday, becoming a major hurricane with 120 mph winds,
forecasters said.
The developments came as emergency officials scrambled to open
shelters and coordinate with local governments.
The Category 3 storm was about 265 miles southwest of the resort
town of Manzanillo at 5 a.m. ET, according to the National
Hurricane Center in Miami. It was moving east at about about 5
mph.
"On the forecast track, the center of the hurricane will be
nearing the coast of Mexico by Tuesday afternoon," the center
said. Some additional strengthening could occur over the next day.
A hurricane watch is in effect from Punta San Telmo north to Cabo
Corrientes, near Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.
"Our main concern is the welfare of the population," Trinidad
Lopez, civil protection director in the state of Jalisco, said.
"We're doing everything in our power to protect people."
At least 100 shelters were open Sunday for people who could be
affected by the storm, Lopez said. Food, cots and blankets have
been distributed, he said.
Heavy machinery has also been pre-positioned in strategic
locations throughout the state, Lopez said.
Mexico is providing federal assistance, as well. More than 300
soldiers have been deployed and the Marines in Puerto Vallarta are
on alert, Lopez said.
A tropical storm watch also is in effect in an area near Punta San
Elmo, stretching south toward Lazaro Cardenas.
Mexico's National Meteorological Service warned boaters off the
country's Pacific coast to prepare for increasing rains, waves and
winds.
High surf warnings are also in effect, with forecasters warning
swells will strike Mexico's southwest coast later in the day
Monday.
"These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip
current conditions," the hurricane center said. "Jova is expected
to produce total rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches over the
states of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco, with isolated maximum
amounts of 15 inches possible."