<p>Hurricane Pamela slammed into the western Mexican state of Sinaloa as a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday, before losing some force and being downgraded to a tropical storm, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) and local authorities said.</p>.<p>Sinaloa is the country's top grower of corn, Mexico's staple grain, as well as a major producer of tomatoes and other fruits that figure prominently in the country's agricultural exports to the United States.</p>.<p>The NHC's latest advisory placed Pamela about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north-northeast of the major Sinaloa beach resort of Mazatlan and said the tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kph).</p>.<p>Additional "rapid weakening" is forecast as the center of Pamela moves farther inland, said the NHC.</p>.<p>Through Thursday, the storm is forecast to produce 4 to 8 inches (10-20 cm) of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches (30 cm), across Sinaloa and western Durango state and northern Nayarit state, which could trigger significant and life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.</p>.<p>The NHC said that across portions of central Texas and southeastern Oklahoma 3 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches, were expected, which could cause considerable flash and urban flooding.</p>.<p>In preparation of the heavy rains and winds, Mexican authorities said that 40 temporary shelters were opened in Sinaloa.</p>.<p>Swells generated by Pamela are expected to affect portions of the southern Baja California peninsula, and southwestern and west-central mainland Mexico throughout Thursday, likely producing "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," added the NHC.</p>.<p>Before reaching Sinaloa, Pamela passed near the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, home to key tourist destinations such as Los Cabos, where no damage was reported.</p>.<p>Last year, Sinaloa alone produced more than 380,000 tonnes of tomatoes, or nearly a fifth of national output and overwhelmingly destined for export, according to government data.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Hurricane Pamela slammed into the western Mexican state of Sinaloa as a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday, before losing some force and being downgraded to a tropical storm, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) and local authorities said.</p>.<p>Sinaloa is the country's top grower of corn, Mexico's staple grain, as well as a major producer of tomatoes and other fruits that figure prominently in the country's agricultural exports to the United States.</p>.<p>The NHC's latest advisory placed Pamela about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north-northeast of the major Sinaloa beach resort of Mazatlan and said the tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kph).</p>.<p>Additional "rapid weakening" is forecast as the center of Pamela moves farther inland, said the NHC.</p>.<p>Through Thursday, the storm is forecast to produce 4 to 8 inches (10-20 cm) of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches (30 cm), across Sinaloa and western Durango state and northern Nayarit state, which could trigger significant and life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.</p>.<p>The NHC said that across portions of central Texas and southeastern Oklahoma 3 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches, were expected, which could cause considerable flash and urban flooding.</p>.<p>In preparation of the heavy rains and winds, Mexican authorities said that 40 temporary shelters were opened in Sinaloa.</p>.<p>Swells generated by Pamela are expected to affect portions of the southern Baja California peninsula, and southwestern and west-central mainland Mexico throughout Thursday, likely producing "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," added the NHC.</p>.<p>Before reaching Sinaloa, Pamela passed near the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, home to key tourist destinations such as Los Cabos, where no damage was reported.</p>.<p>Last year, Sinaloa alone produced more than 380,000 tonnes of tomatoes, or nearly a fifth of national output and overwhelmingly destined for export, according to government data.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>