Hurricane Orlene is set to hit Mexico on Monday, bringing heavy rains and the potential for severe flooding to popular resort areas along the west coast.
The Category 2 storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 105 mph with stronger gusts, having peaked at Category 4 on Sunday afternoon, and is moving north at 8 mph. According to the National Hurricane Center, tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the storm’s core.
Orlene is expected to move over Las Islas Marias overnight, remain at hurricane strength when it hits the mainland Monday afternoon or evening just south of Mazatlán, then weaken rapidly, the center said. of the hurricane.
Outlying islands could see 6 to 10 inches of rain, with local amounts over a foot, leading to localized flooding and possible landslides, the hurricane center noted, adding that dangerous storm surges can be expected, with wave heights of up to 6 feet.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Las Islas Marias and along the coast of mainland Mexico from San Blas to Mazatlán. A hurricane watch is in effect for the coast of mainland Mexico from Playa Perula to San Blas and from Mazatlán to Bahia Tempehuaya, including the city of Puerto Vallarta.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the coast of mainland Mexico from Playa Perula to San Blas. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the coast of mainland Mexico from Manzanillo to Playa Perula.