Hurricane Lane becomes Category

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CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico - Hurricane Lane strengthened to a dangerous Category 3 on Saturday and took an unexpected turn toward Mexico's Pacific coast, with forecasters saying it could get stronger before hitting near the resort of Mazatlan. ADVERTISEMENT A day earlier, rains lashed coastal towns further south, causing a landslide that killed a 7-year-old boy in Acapulco and flooding that forced hundreds of people to abandon their homes. With top winds near 120 mph, the center of Lane was expected to slam into the Pacific coast later Saturday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Mexico issued hurricane warnings for the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula and for a stretch of mainland Pacific coastline between El Roblito to Altata. Early Saturday, Lane was centered about 45 miles west of the mainland Pacific coast town of Mazatlan and about 185 miles east of the Baja California resort of Cabo San Lucas. It was moving north-northwest at about 11 mph, but its exact path was unclear and it could hit anywhere within the warning area, the hurricane center said. It was not expected to threaten the United States. It was the second hurricane to menace the region recently. Two weeks ago, Hurricane John unleashed wind and rain on Cabo San Lucas, a remote enclave famous for its deep-sea fishing, world-class golf courses and pristine beaches flanked by cactus-dotted deserts. Though the storm didn't directly hit the resort, it killed five people and damaged highways and washed-out homes have yet to be completed even as Lane bears down. "With John, tourism dropped a lot. Now it's almost: 'Here we go again,'" said Ariel Lara, a 35-year-old timeshare salesman. Lane caused flooding in the port city of Lazaro Cardenas, where more than 500 people were evacuated from their homes after a canal overflowed. Earlier, the storm dumped rain in Acapulco, causing the landslide that killed the boy. Eloy Valenzuela, a 39-year-old dock employee, was tying down a yacht belonging to an American in preparation for strong winds. He said he didn't think two hurricanes so close to one another would scare away tourists. "We are always a moment away from a hurricane this time of year," he said. "But you just take precautions so that there is no damage." Cabo San Lucas enjoyed clear skies and sweltering temperatures as the weekend began. There was no sign of panic on the streets or frantic supermarket lines. Some homes had their windows taped and a few restaurants and storefronts were boarded up. But vendors continued to hawk fishing and scuba-diving expeditions, while hotel managers assured guests there was no reason to worry. "So what about the hurricane?" Catherine Doster, a 25-year-old from Mobile, Ala., asked Friday, as she checked into her hotel near the Cabo San Lucas marina. Despite her queries, she said she never considered canceling her trip. "I don't think there will be evacuations," said Matthew Freeman, a 28-year-old electrician who was traveling with Doster. "The day before a hurricane, usually all hell's breaking loose. Everybody here seems calm. Everything's normal." Erin Newell, a 28-year-old film industry professional from Los Angeles, said an e-mail from loved ones in the U.S. about the storm upset her a bit. "I think it's the fact that you're facing a hurricane," said Newell, who was drinking beer from a plastic cup as she walked near the waterfront. "I've faced earthquakes and tornadoes, never a hurricane." Some airlines canceled flights leaving Saturday, forcing Ellen Fiersten, of Springfield, Ill., to spend her 60th birthday waiting at the airport Friday. "They're very low key about the weather here," said the retiree. "The only information you get is watching CNN." Alan Murphy, a 59-year-old retiree from Las Vegas also wasn't taking any chances. He was on a flight home Friday, three days before he was scheduled to end a fishing trip. "If it hits land, where do the tourists go?" he said. "They'll have to evacuate, and we don't want to be a part of that." Meanwhile, a tropical depression formed Saturday in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja, Calif., the National Hurricane Center said. The season's 14th tropical depression was expected to only gradually strengthen as it feels the influence of Hurricane Lane. The depression was located about 460 miles southwest of Baja and was moving northeast at about 7 mph. Maximum sustained winds were about 35 mph.