Hurricane Odile strengthens, threatening Mexico's Pacific Coast

Hurricane Odile on Sunday intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir Simpson scale and was moving rapidly towards Baja California peninsula in northwest Mexico, the country's National Meteorological Service (SMN) warned.

SMN predicted that the hurricane could reach the southern tip of the peninsula with legions of luxury resorts late in the day, bringing along heavy rains with lightning, gusts of strong winds, possible hail fall and whirlwinds.

The Mexican government has declared a "maximum alert" in Baja California peninsula.