Hurricane Olaf on way to Los Cabos resorts

CABO SAN LUCAS >> Hurricane Olaf bore down on the Los Cabos resort region at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula Thursday as authorities closed ports, prepared temporary shelters and urged people to monitor public announcements.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the area could see hurricaneforce winds and very heavy rain by early evening and through the night.

The ports of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo closed to vessel traffic as tourism operators moved boats at Cabo San Lucas to safer moorings. Businesses boarded up windows and people lined up for lastminute purchases in supermarkets.

Lilzi Orcí, president of the Los Cabos Hotels Association, said 37 domestic and international airline flights had already been cancelled. She estimated 20,000 foreign tourists were in the area, less than 40% of the hotels’ capacity. Guests would shelter in their hotels, she said.