Tropical Storm Julio Batters Baja

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CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico: Tropical Storm Julio grew stronger as it bore down on the resort-dotted tip of the Baja California peninsula on Sunday, prompting more than 2,500 families who live along river beds to evacuate.

Strong winds and heavy rains buffeted the southern peninsula as police and emergency workers toured neighborhoods in Cabo San Lucas, evacuating families who live homes of wood and corrugated roofs. They were taken to shelters around the town.

"We're expecting the worst of the tropical storm this afternoon," said Ernesto Ibarra, a municipal delegate.
The possibility of 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 centimeters) of rain in the normally parched raised fears of flash flooding.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Julio was not expected to become a hurricane, though it will likely strengthen.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) Sunday and was centered about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of the resorts at Cabo San Lucas. Tropical storm force winds extended 85 miles (65 kph) at some points.

The Mexican government issued a tropical storm warning from Punta Abreojos on the West Coast of the peninsula around the southern tip and up to Mulege on the East Coast.

As of Monday at 10:30 am the storm was over central Baja. Julio was moving north-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph).