Perilous
Times
Hurricane Dora strengthens off Mexico
* From correspondents in Mexico
* From: AP
* July 20, 2011 2:13PM
US weather forecasters say Dora has become the fourth hurricane in
the Eastern Pacific season as it strengthens off the coast of
Mexico.
The US National Hurricane Center in Miami said the storm was
centred today about 380km south of Acapulco, Mexico, and was
moving west-north-west at 27km/h with top sustained winds near
120km/h.
Mexican authorities issued a tropical storm watch from Lazaro
Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes, meaning tropical storm conditions are
possible within 36 hours.
Its proximity to the coast also prompted heavy-rain warnings in
the Pacific coast states of Guerrero and Oaxaca.
In Guerrero, the government was preparing nearly 900 shelters in
flood-prone areas along the coast, which includes the resort city
of Acapulco.