Tropical Storm Ileana heads northward over the southern Gulf of California, bringing heavy rains

MEXICO CITY -- MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tropical Storm Ileana forced residents and tourists in Mexico’s resort-studded Los Cabos to stay inside as rain pounded the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.Ileana moved Saturday northward over the southern Gulf of California at 9mph (15 kph), according to the U.S.National Hurricane Center.

It was about 75 miles (115 km) north-northeast of Cabo San Lucas with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph), the center said.A tropical storm warning was in effect for portions of the Baja California Peninsula, including Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.Forecasters predicted 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain would fall with Ileana, and up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) was possible for coastal areas of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco states through Friday.Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in portions of Baja California Sur during the next several hours where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect.

This heavy rainfall will bring a risk of flash flooding and mudslides to portions of western Mexico and southern Baja California.Juan Manuel Arce Ortega, from Los Cabos Civil Protection, said, “The entire municipalities of La Paz and Los Cabos are already on red alert.This means that efforts are already underway to inform the population, as well as the implementation (of measures) and evacuation to temporary shelters.”They also urged residents to avoid crossing rivers, streams, and low areas where they can be swept away by water.All schools in Los Cabos were also suspended Friday due to the storm.

Óscar Cruces Rodríguez of Mexico’s federal Civil Protection said in a statement that residents should avoid leaving their homes until the storm passes and if residents are in an area at risk of flooding to find temporary shelters.Authorities prepared 20 temporary shelters in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, according to Los Cabos Civil Protection.At the Hacienda Beach Club and Residences in Cabo S...