Hurricane Jova menaces Mexican coast

Mexico\'s Pacific coast was under a hurricane warning Monday, with Hurricane Jova threatening to bring heavy rain, flooding and dangerous surf, forecasters said. A hurricane warning was in effect for the area from Punta San Telmo north to Cabo Corrientes and a tropical storm warning was posted for Lazaro Cardenas north to just south of Punta San Telmo, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its 5 a.m. EDT advisory. Jova, a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, was about 265 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, moving east at 5 mph, the center said. On its projected track, the center of the hurricane would be near the Mexican coast by Tuesday afternoon. Forecasters said Jova could be expected to strengthen during the next day or so but would change little until it makes landfall. Jova could produce 5-10 inches of rain over the Mexican states of Michoaca, Colima and Jalisco, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches possible, the center said. The rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. Forecasters said a dangerous storm surge could produce significant coastal flooding near and to the east of where the center makes landfall.