Hurricane Jova strengthening in eastern Pacific, forecasters say
This October 9, 2011 handout image courtesy of NOAA’s GOES Project Science, shows a satellite view of Hurricane Jova. Hurricane Jova was strengthening as it headed for the southwestern Mexican coast, U.S. meteorologists said Sunday, warning the system would likely grow further in the coming days.
Hurricane Jova was strengthening early Monday as it passed about 810 miles south-west off Baja, California, with forecasters predicting the Category 2 storm could become a major hurricane by Monday night.
According to Fox News:
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Sunday evening that Jova had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and was centered about 305 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. It was moving east at 8 mph..
A hurricane watch is in effect from Punta San Telmo north to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. Mexico's National Meteorological Service warned of increasing rains, waves and winds off the country's Pacific coast.
Emergency officials told CNN that 100 shelters had been opened in the state of Jalisco and more than 300 soldiers had been deployed, while the Marines in Puerto Vallarta were on alert.
"Our main concern is the welfare of the population," Trinidad Lopez, civil protection director in the state of Jalisco, told CNN. "We're doing everything in our power to protect people."
Forecasters said Jova would likely make landfall by Tuesday evening.