Hurricane Priscilla brings heavy rain to Mexico's southwest coast

Mexico.- Priscilla strengthened and became a Category 1 hurricane this Sunday in the Pacific off the southwest coast of Mexico. The cyclone will bring heavy rains and wind gusts to parts of that area, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Priscilla recorded maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). It was located about 290 miles (470 kilometers) southwest of Cabo Corrientes. It was also moving north-northwest at about 3 miles per hour.

"Further strengthening is expected during the coming days, and Priscilla is forecast to become a Category 2 hurricane this week," the NHC said.

The NHC reported that parts of the southwest coast of Mexico were affected by heavy rainfall and strong gusts. It was also possible that those areas would be hit by flash floods.

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The hurricane's rains will continue to be a risk this Monday in parts of that coast, as well as in areas of western and central Mexico and southern Baja California, said the NHC. There will also be "surges prone to cause wave and marine current conditions that threaten life," it warned. "Across coastal portions of Michoacán and the far western end of Guerrero, additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with local amounts up to 6 inches," the NHC predicted.