Mexico prepared for powerful Category 4 hurricane

A Pacific hurricane Hilary was a powerful Category 4 hurricane churning about 325 miles south Mexico, Friday with sustained winds of 130 mph with stronger gusts, the National Hurricane Center said. Mexico prepared for hurricane that triggered a warning of "potentially catastrophic" flooding in a northwestern tourist region and the neighboring US state of California.

Hilary's maximum sustained winds reached about 145 miles per hour before slowing slightly. Residents and workers put up protective boarding, laid sandbags and stored furniture in preparation, as large waves crashed ashore. Navy personnel were seen patrolling a popular destination beach in Cabo San Lucas for both Mexican and foreign tourists.