Weakened Tropical Storm Rick nears Mexico resorts

LOS CABOS, Mexico – Once-powerful Hurricane Rick lost most of its NFL jerseys punch as it headed toward Mexican resort regions as a tropical storm Tuesday, but local authorities still prepared for evacuations in case of flooding. Rick had been the strongest hurricane in the eastern North Pacific region since 1997, with winds of 180 mph (290 kph) during the weekend, and it kicked up high waves hundreds of miles from its center that killed at least two people. But Rick spent its force far out at sea and was weakened by moving across cooler waters. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Rick was projected to limp past the ugg boots southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula late Tuesday before crossing the mouth of the Gulf of California and hitting the mainland near Mazatlan. The storm's maximum sustained winds were down to 65 mph (100 kph) Tuesday afternoon, the Hurricane Center said. It was centered about 175 miles (280 kilometers) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas and moving to the north-northeast at 9 mph (15 kph). Mayor Oscar Rene Nunez said officials would close schools in Los Cabos and urged Rolex watches residents living in makeshift homes and those in flood zones to seek shelter. Los Cabos civil defense director Francisco Cota said heavy winds and rain were expected around midnight Tuesday and flooding was likely in low-lying areas. Kenny Meliota, 48, a surfer from Southern California, said he was happy to see the storm. "They were some monster waves," he said as he stood on a cliff, watching surfers riding the waves. But others were trying to avoid the storm. At Los Cabos airport, American Airlines Philadelphia Eagles jerseys spokesman Alfredo Hernandez said the carrier added an extra flight to Dallas on Tuesday after fielding requests from tourists anxious to get out ahead of the storm. Hotel employees cleared furniture from balconies and patios but stopped short from boarding up windows or moving guests to shelters. Rick was the second strongest storm to hit the eastern North Pacific since experts began keeping reliable records in 1966, topped only by Hurricane Linda, which generated maximum winds of 185 mph (297 kph) in September 1997. Long before Rick neared the peninsula, its powerful surf claimed two victims. A 16-year-old boy swimming at Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys El Medano beach drowned Monday and a 38-year-old man fishing from a rocky point was swept away by a big wave the previous day.