OFFICIALS RUSH TO VILLAGES HIT BY HURRICANE

Emergency workers on Wednesday were struggling to reach beach towns left incommunicado by a blow from hurricane Willa, and rains from the storm continued to force evacuations due to fear of flooding even as it dissipated over northern Mexico.

There were no immediate reports of deaths, but the storm’s 195 km/h winds knocked out power, toppled wood-shack homes and ripped metal roofing off other houses in the municipality of Escuinapa.

The mayor, Hugo Moreno, said rescue workers were still trying to communicate with several seaside communities.

In neighbouring Nayarit state, Gov. Antonio Echevarria asked the federal government to send rescue equipment, and said the state is trying to evacuate people in communities at risk of flooding.

MARCO UGARTE / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A family stands near their damaged home and debris in the aftermath of hurricane Willa, in Escuinapa, Mexico, on Wednesday. Emergency workers were struggling to reach beach towns left incommunicado by the storm.