LOS CABOS, Mexico, (Reuters) – Hurricane Jimena blew into a dangerous Category 4 storm off Mexico’s Pacific Coast and was on track to buffet resorts on the Baja California peninsula tomorrow, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
Jimena, a small but powerful hurricane that has intensified quickly since it formed early on Saturday, was packing 140 mph (220 kph) winds with higher gusts. The NHC predicted fluctuations in strength over the next day or two.
According to the five-step Saffir-Simpson intensity scale, Category 4 hurricanes are “extremely dangerous” and can cause devastating damage if they hit land.
Jimena was a safe distance from shore but set to gather strength and brush the upscale resort of Los Cabos tomorrow, when the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is scheduled to hold a meeting there to discuss tax havens.
It was not clear whether the meeting would be canceled.
The weather was sunny with blue skies and a light breeze in southern Baja California on Sunday but the NHC said a hurricane watch may be required for some parts later in the day.
Americans living in Cabos stocked up on food and drinking water and filled their cars and generators with gas. Some tourists said they planned to cut short their vacations.
“I’m a little nervous about this one because my husband is out of town and it will be my first hurricane alone,” said Christy Dobson, an 11-year resident of Los Cabos originally from Oklahoma, as she snatched up cases of water and non-perishables at a supermarket with her two small daughters.
Californian Lynn Perre, who owns a condo in Los Cabos, and her mother Beverly Boyer decided to cut short their vacation and fly out on Monday. “I’m nervous and frightened,” said Boyer. “This is a category four storm that is going to hit.”
The Baja California peninsula is a sparsely populated strip of desert, mountain ranges and shrublands, but coastal resorts like Los Cabos and La Paz are big vacation spots. The length of the peninsula is popular with U.S. camper van enthusiasts, nature lovers, surfers, sports fishermen and retirees.
Baja California state’s civil protection director Jose Gajon said storm precautions would be taken from the evening.
Jimena was 270 miles (440 km) south-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, near Puerto Vallarta, and 480 miles (770 km) south-southeast of Los Cabos on Baja California’s southern tip.
