LOS CABOS, Mexico (AP) — A weakening Hurricane Norbert is moving parallel to Mexico’s Baja California peninsula after pounding fishing villages and resorts. Authorities say more than a 1,000 homes have been damaged and hundreds of people forced to flee to higher ground.
Norbert grew to Category 3 status yesterday but by morning it had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane with winds of up to 75 mph. Though staying away from land, it’s passing near enough to the coast to drench fishing villages and resorts, and pound beaches.
The Baja California Sur state government reports that 500 people there had gone to shelters and health officials are taking steps to fight mosquitoes in stagnant water to prevent the spread of dengue. At least 2,000 people have been evacuated from Los Cabos, La Paz and Comondu.
The hurricane also is creating high surf along the beaches of Southern California and rainstorms across the Southwest United States.
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