Hurricane Lorena threatens Mexico's key tourist region of Baja California

By Aida Pelaez-Fernandez

MEXICO CITY, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Lorena intensified into a hurricane off Mexico's Pacific Coast and could bring life-threatening flash floods as it moves toward the Baja California Peninsula, authorities said on Wednesday.

The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph (75 mph) and higher gusts, was located about 165 km (105 miles) off Cabo San Lucas, a popular tourist destination, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Lorena, a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is expected to leave heavy rainfall in the Baja California peninsula and "will bring the risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of higher terrain," NHC said in a statement.

Mexico's government issued storm warnings and watches for Baja California Sur, home to major tourist destinations such as Los Cabos.

The Mexican national water commission, Conagua, urged residents to take extreme precautions in affected areas, according to its latest report.

Rapid strengthening is forecast through Wednesday night, according to NHC, while a fast weakening is expected later on, with Lorena possibly softening back into a tropical storm by Friday.

The hurricane is moving northwards at a speed of 24 kilometers per hour and its center is expected to move parallel to the west coast of the Baja California peninsula until Thursday night when it should approach the shore.