Willa weakens to tropical depression

MAZATLAN, Mexico City – Hurricane Willa weakened rapidly into a tropical depression on Wednesday, March 24th, 2011 Mexico City Pacific Coast as a Category 3 storm, though it continues to be a torrential rains over west-central Mexico.

Willa starts losing power overnight after a couple of days on the beach, fishing villages and farms on the Pacific coast of Mexico's Sinaloa state with winds of 120 mph (195 kph) Tuesday night.

Damage badessments were scanty before dawn due to darkness and poor communications.

Before leaving for the Isla del Bosque, Willa swept over an offshore penal colony about 60 miles (100 kilometers) out of the Pacific. The rules were taken at the prison, citing security concerns, but said the safety of inmates was a priority.

The storm was soaking up punch over northern Mexico and was down to tropical depression with a maximum of 35 mph (55 kph) – down from its Category 5 peak of 155mph (250 kph) over the Pacific on Monday.

Willa was centered about 75 miles east of Durango, Mexico, and heading to the northeast at 25 mph (41 kph). It was expected to dissipate later in the day, despite dumping heavy rains.

Willa cam ashore about 50 miles southeast of Mazatlan, a 500,000 people, including many U.S. and Canadian expatriates.

Hotels, restaurants and stores were boarded over, Mazatlan's Coastal view to the spectacular sunset as the hurricane obscured the sky to the south.

Alberto Hernandez, a hotel worker in the town of Teacapan, close to where the storm made landfall. He and his son, who also worked at the hotel, stayed on the job, though the rest of his family had left the area.

"We've had rain all day. There is nobody in the streets. Everything is closed, "Hernandez said. "But not everyone wanted to leave, even though it is clear that he is going to be at his own peril."

Torrential rains began in the afternoon, and they said they had evacuated more than 4,250 people and 58 shelters ahead of the dangerous storm. Schools were ordered closed.

As Willa neared, the beach in Mazatlan almost disappeared, with waves slamming against the coastal boulevard under looming black clouds. A few surfers enjoyed the big waves while the onshore streets were nearly deserted for hotels, shops and homes.

Some families take shelter at the Mazatlan convention center, spreading out blankets along the walls to wait out the storm.

"The house we're living in," said Sergio Ernesto Meri Franco, who rents a studio apartment.

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Associated Press writer Isabella Cota in Mexico City contributed to this report.

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