Hurricane Willa tracker LIVE: Texas BRACES as Mexico storm upgraded to CATEGORY FIVE
“EXTREMELY DANGEROUS” and strengthening Hurricane Willa is set to smash Mexico as a Category 5 hurricane before bringing significant rainfall to Texas – here are the latest live updates.
By KAT HOPPS
Express.co.uk
Mon, Oct 22, 2018
Hurricane Willa, was upgraded from a category 4 hurricane to category 5 level on Monday afternoon with winds of 160mph.
NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned Willa is expected to become a “potentially catastrophic category 5 hurricane” producing “life-threatening storm surge, wind and rainfall” over areas of west-central and southwestern Mexico.
The massive storm is on course to hit mainland Mexico between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning local time.
Up to 12 inches of rain are predicted for western Jalisco, western Nayarit and souther Sinaloa in Mexico.
But meteorologists say Texas could be drenched with up to to four inches of rainfall next week as it tracks north east.
Other parts of the US Gulf Coast are also at risk from heavy rain including Louisiana and Mississippi.
Here are the latest updates, all times in BST.
6.45pm update: Where is Mazatlan?
Mazatlan is the second-largest city in the state of Sinaloa in northwestern Mexico – and one of the first places expected to be impacted by Hurricane Willa when it makes landfall.
The popular tourist town is lined with hotels and celebrated for its 12-mile golden beaches, golf resorts and lively nightlife.
US News & World Report recently named it the fifth best place in the world to retire.
5.55pm: At least three inches forecast for South Central Texas, latest estimates say
Moisture from Hurricane Willa will produce at least three inches worth of rain in South Central Texas, The National Weather Service has said in its latest update.
The meteorological agency tweeted: “Moisture from now Category 5 Hurricane #Willa in the eastern Pacific will produce heavy rain across Texas this week.
“The 1-3 day total rainfall shows an area of 3+ inches of rain in South Central Texas.”
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