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                     Hurricane Patricia Weakens Over Mexico

   by VOA News

   Patricia degraded from the most powerful hurricane to a tropical
   depression over northern Mexico, the U.S. National Hurricane Center
   said Saturday.

   What came ashore as the strongest storm ever in the Western Hemisphere
   dropped to a Category 1 storm by morning, with sustained winds of about
   55 kph and bringing heavy rainfall, causing floods and mudslides.

   There have been no reports of fatalities, serious injuries or major
   damage in the area where Patricia made landfall Friday as a powerful
   Category 5 hurricane.

   Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said "first reports confirm that
   the damage has been less than that corresponding to a hurricane of this
   magnitude."

   However, the president said "the phenomenon is continuing in its
   course" and urged people to remain in shelters. Considerable rainfall
   could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
   Mexico's meteorological service said the hurricane struck Jalisco
   state, between the major cargo port of Manzanillo and the resort city
   of Puerto Vallarta at around 6:00 p.m. local time Friday with winds of
   270 kilometers per hour.

   ''Authorities relocated coastal residents, evacuated tourists and
   closed seaports and airports as the storm brought surging seas and
   heavy rain.

   U.S. President Barack Obama said American disaster aid experts were on
   the ground and ready to offer help.

   A powerful rain storm hit across the Mexican border in the U.S. state
   of Texas Saturday, flooding roads and causing a freight train to
   derail. Many parts of the state, including its biggest cities are under
   flash flood alerts through Sunday.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/patricia-weakens-over-mexico/3021441.html