Beatriz grows into a hurricane, pounds southwest Mexican coastline

MANZANILLO, Mexico (AP) - Heavy rains and strong winds from Hurricane Beatriz pounded resorts and beaches on Mexico's Pacific coast late Monday, flooding streets as authorities closed popular tourist ports in the storm's path.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Beatriz's winds grew to a hurricane-force 75 mph (120 kph) and the storm would move near or over the coast of Mexico overnight.

A hurricane warning was issued Monday night from the resort city of Zihuatanejo northwest to Cabo Corrientes. Watches and tropical storm warnings went out for other parts of the coast. Ports were closed in Acapulco, Manzanillo and Zihuatanejo.

Beatriz was located about 85 miles (140 kms) southeast of Manzanillo late Monday night and was moving northwest at 12 mph (19 kph).

A light rain was falling in Manzanillo, where the hurricane was expected to arrive early Tuesday, but people mostly went about their business, waiting for buses and shuttling to and from work. The eye of the storm is expected to pass within 37 miles (60 kms) of the beach town on Tuesday.

Manzanillo authorities sent out recommendations to hotels to tell guests not to go to the beach. But many tourists were hanging out at the beach anyway on Monday afternoon.

"There's a lot of wind," said Carmen Lopez, a 40-year-old Mexican tourist vacationing in Manzanillo with about 15 family members from Guadalajara, three hours' drive inland. "I'm kind of scared ... but we're staying here in the hotel for our vacation."

The Esquivias family of Concord, California, which arrived Monday for their vacation, said they weren't worried about an impending hurricane at all.

"A lot of people are saying it isn't true," said Sandra Esquivias, 15.

Farther south along the coast in Zihuatanejo, civil protection officials ordered the port closed completely and authorized five shelters in case of floods or mudslides.

Some streets and avenues in the tourist district and downtown were flooded Monday night.

The Tides hotel advised its guests to remain in their rooms if possible and take precautions from rain and wind, receptionist Dulce Miranda said.

In Acapulco, the ports were closed.

Mexican soldiers and marines were deployed on a rescue mission in case homes needed to be evacuated in Acapulco, federal officials said Monday.

Authorities say 100 homes were flooded, 20 trees fell and some avenues in the touristic district were also flooded because of the heavy rains. About 30 parked vehicles were swept by the current.

Tourist Arturo Olayo, of the city of Puebla, was injured when a tree fell over him. He was transported to the hospital. His condition is unknown.

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Associated Press writers Sergio Flores in Acapulco and Jonathan M. Katz and Adriana Gomez Licon in Mexico City contributed to this story.