Hurricane Orlene hits Mexico’s Pacific coast near Mazatlan

By FERNANDO LLANO
Associated Press

MAZATLAN, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Orlene has made landfall on Mexico’s Pacific coast near the tourist town of Mazatlan before quickly weakening over land into a tropical depression. Electrical cables swayed and sent off showers of sparks in the town of El Rosario south of Mazatlan, close to where the hurricane hit. Authorities did not immediately report any damage, but along the coast they suspended classes, closed seaports and set up shelters. Orlene lost some strength after roaring over the Islas Maria, a former prison colony being developed as a tourist draw. By midday, Orlene had weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph).