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Tropical Storm Ileana heads towards resorts in Los Cabos, bringing heavy rainfall
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Tropical Storm Ileana heads towards resorts in Los Cabos, bringing heavy rainfall

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities in the Mexican resort area of ​​Los Cabos warned tourists and residents to stay indoors Friday as Tropical Storm Ileana began lashing the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula with rain.

Ileana formed off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Thursday and was moving from north-northwest to west at 8 mph (13 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Its forecast track was to take it over or near the twin resorts of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

Ileana was centered about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Cabo San Lucas, the center said in a Friday morning warning. Maximum sustained winds were 45 mph (75 kph) and Ileana was expected to reach the coast within a few hours.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for parts 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.

Ileana is expected to move across the southern portion of the Baja California Peninsula on Friday and across the southern and central Gulf of California this weekend.

Los Cabos Civil Protection issued a red alert for Los Cabos and La Paz on Friday morning. “Stay completely indoors, do not go out until advised by authorities and be aware of warnings issued by authorities,” they shared on Facebook.

They also urged residents not to cross rivers, streams or low-lying areas as they could be swept away by the water.

Also in Los Cabos, all schools were closed on Friday due to the storm.

Óscar Cruces Rodríguez of Mexico’s Federal Civil Protection said in a statement that residents should not leave their homes until the storm passes. If residents are in an area at risk of flooding, they should seek temporary shelter.

According to Los Cabos Civil Protection, authorities have prepared 20 temporary shelters in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

At the Hacienda Beach Club and Residences in Cabo San Lucas, valet Alan Galvan said it was raining late Thursday night and steady. “The rain isn’t really heavy right now, but the waves are choppy,” he said.

“The guests are very calm and are already downstairs for coffee,” Galvan said. “There are some flights cancelled, but at the moment everything is OK.” Galvan said they are waiting for further advice from the authorities.

Felipe Gomez, an employee of the Vibrant Cabo San Lucas Marina Restaurant, was the first to arrive at work but was still waiting for instructions from management on whether they would close.

“To be honest, it’s pretty ugly now, the whole boulevard is under water and all the shops are closed,” he said.

“I’m waiting for them to confirm it and then I’m going home,” he said. “I hope it gets better and the conditions don’t get worse.”