PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico -- Hurrican...

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico -- Hurricane John lashed tourist resorts with heavy winds and rain Wednesday as the dangerous storm marched up Mexico's Pacific coast, and forecasters predicted its center would brush end to land before nicking the tip of Baja California and heading revealed to sea.

The Category 4 hurricane could dump up to a twelve inches of rain along parts of Mexico's southern coast, causing landslides or flooding, meteorologists warned.

The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 135 mph and stronger gusts capable of ripping canopys off buildings and causing storm waves of up to 18 feet above normal. It was look fored to strengthen somewhat throughout the night Wednesday.

cold-blooded EASES PACIFIC STORMS

John was not awaited to affect the United States -- cooler Pacific waters mind to diminish the storms before they reach California.

however a hurricane warning covered a more than 300-mile extend of the Mexican coastline from the port city of Lazaro Cardenas north to Cabo Corrientes, the southwestern tip of the bay that occupys Puerto Vallarta.

The rule also issued a hurricane watch for portions of the southern Baja Peninsula, from La Paz southward on the east coast and from Sante Fe southward on the west coast, an area which includes the resort city of Cabo San Lucas.

Skies were clear and tourists relaxed onward the beach in Puerto Vallarta. moreover officials postponed the arrival of a Carnival cruise chip.

William Rousseau, a tourist from Oregon vacationing with his family in Puerto Vallarta, said inn officials warned about the hurricane "but we're calm because they say it's not going to hit this city."

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