Hurricane Jimena is heading towards tourist resorts on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.
The National Hurricane Center in the US warned that popular tourist areas, Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, could be affected by Jimena.
The hurricane has winds gusting up to 155mph and has grown into a category five storm, which is the highest possible danger rating.
Many tourists have left the area but, according to the local hotel association, about 7,000 remain and hotels are running with a 25% occupancy rate.
Cruise ships are being forced to change their course because of the hurricane. Carnival Splendor, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise have altered their Mexican itineraries for this week.
Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas, which departed Los Angeles on August 30, will reverse the order of its ports of call to avoid Jimena. Royal Caribbean said Mariner of the Seas’ route may change again depending on the course of the hurricane.
Hurricane Jimena advisories
This is a live feed from the US National Hurricane Center
Picture: NASA/GSFC, MODIS Rapid Response