John rapidly strengthens into Category 3 hurricane off Mexico's coast

Hurricane John ripped toward Mexico's southern coast on Monday after rapidly intensifying over the eastern Pacific Ocean, surprising authorities who called for residents of some coastal areas to head for cover.

The US National Hurricane Centre said John had rapidly strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph). The storm was extremely close to the coast about 15 miles (20 kilometers) south of Punta Maldonado and it was moving north at 8 mph (13 kph).

John was set to touch land late Monday night, according to forecasters and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

"Seek higher ground, protect yourselves and do not forget that life is the most important thing; material things can be replaced. We are here," wrote Lopez Obrador on a post on the social media platform X.

Forecasters projected John would hit the beachside town of Punta Maldonado head on, and also likely batter nearby tourist hubs Acapulco and Puerto Escondido before ...