Tropical Storm Pamela makes landfall in Mexico

Storm is picking up strength in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico

Tropical Storm Pamela in the Pacific. Image loop via University of Wisconsin-Madison https://tropic.ssec.wisc.edu/.

Hurricane Pamela made landfall on Mexico’s Pacific coast just north of Mazatlan Wednesday, bringing high winds and rain to the port city.

Pamela regained hurricane strength just before it hit the coast 65 kilometres north of Mazatlan, which also serves as a resort for Mexican tourists.

The US National Hurricane Centre said Pamela had maximum winds of about 120 kph at landfall, though it is expected to quickly weaken as it moves inland.

A satellite image from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Tropical Storm Pamela off Mexico's Pacific coast. AFP

A man walks along a closed beach as Pamela approaches the Pacific coastal resort, in Mazatlan, Sinaloa state, Mexico. Forecasters expected it to make landfall at hurricane strength. Reuters

Fisherman Maclovio Arce, 60, ties down his boat as Tropical Storm Pamela approaches Mazatlan. Reuters

Staff board up the windows of a restaurant, as Pamela approaches Mazatlan. On late Tuesday, October 12, it was 275 kilometres southwest of the resort. Reuters

Pamela was moving north-east at about 19 kilometres an hour. Reuters

A man is detained by a police officer for refusing to leave a closed beach as Tropical Storm Pamela approaches Mazatlan. Reuters

A woman prays before an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, before Pamela makes landfall at Mazatlan. AP Photo

Heavy rain precedes the arrival of Pamela in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. AFP

A staff member secures windows of a supermarket in Culiacan. Pamela has hit maximum wind speeds of 110 kilometres an hour. AFP

Heavy rain ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Pamela in Culiacan. AFP

Pamela was forecast to pass well to the south of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula during the night while accelerating towards the coast and regaining wind strength.

The hurricane centre warned of the possibility of life-threatening storm surges, flash floods and dangerous winds around the impact area.

Pamela was then forecast to weaken while crossing over northern Mexico and could approach the Texas border as a tropical depression by Thursday.

Remnants of the storm could carry heavy rain to central Texas and south-east Oklahoma, the centre said.