Mexico prepares for Hurricane Paul

Motorists brave wet streets on Mexico's Baja peninsula, as a Category 1 hurricane makes its way towards land.

Hurricane Paul was weakening as it closed in on the coast, but authorities urged people to stay indoors as heavy wind and rain battered the area.

Officials gathered at a meeting on Tuesday (October 16) to discuss emergency preparations.

Patrols in at-risk areas have been stepped up, and refuge shelters readied.

SOUNDBITE: DIRECTOR OF CIVIL PROTECTION FOR BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR STATE, CARLOS ENRIQUEZ, SAYING (Spanish):

"In case of emergency we could evacuate. We have the capacity throughout the state to evacuate 30,000 people."

The U.S. hurricane centre says the storm could cause dangerous coastal waves and flash floods.

A hurricane warning is in place on the peninsula, but the storm is not expected to hit the tourist resort of Los Cabos.