Hurricane Rachel Intensifies to Category 3, Threatens Mexico's Pacific Coast with Heavy Rain and Dangerous Surf

Hurricane Rachel has strengthened to a Category 3 storm in the Eastern Pacific, located approximately 245 miles off the southern tip of Baja California. The National Hurricane Center reports maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, with the storm expected to continue strengthening before weakening this weekend. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are anticipated along Mexico's coast, and authorities are on alert for very heavy rain, landslides, and widespread flooding in the states of Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Jalisco.