The windows of a bar in the Malecon are taped as Hurricane John approaches Puerto Vallarta Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, in Mexico. Hurricane John churned along Mexico's Pacific Coast, lashing beaches with winds and rain but staying just far enough offshore to avoid major damage.
A group of families is evacuated by the Mexican navy from their makeshift homes along the banks of a river in a poor community on the outskirts of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, as Hurricane John nears. Police and military officials fanned out throughout the high risk, mostly poor communities to plead for residents to move to shelters on higher ground ahead of Hurricane John.
A lifeguard walks at the Malecon as Hurricane John approaches Puerto Vallarta City Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, in Mexico. The storm, at one point Category 4, marched up Mexico's Pacific coast, and forecasters predicted its center would brush close to land before nicking the tip of Baja California and heading out to sea.
Tourists walk on the Malecon while most businesses remain closed Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, as hurricane John approaches Puerto Vallarta City, Mexico. Hurricane John churned along Mexico's Pacific Coast on Thursday, lashing beaches with winds and rain but staying just far enough offshore to avoid major damage.
Linda and Logan Laport, of New Orleans, await their flight to leave San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, as Hurricane John nears. After surviving Hurricane Katrina a year ago, the Laport's now find themselves fleeing another hurricane after heading to the Baja California peninsula for a vacation. Tourists from resort towns flocked to the airport in hopes of leaving before John's expected arrival.
Paul Munger, 7, of Orange County, Calif., sits on his suitcase as he waits with his family for a flight out in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, as Hurricane John nears. Tourists vacationing in the Baja California resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo flocked to the airport in hopes of leaving the peninsula before the expected arrival of Hurricane John.
A Mexican soldier talks to La Balsa villagers about the danger of staying in their village as Hurricane John approaches Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006. The storm, at one point Category 4, marched up Mexico's Pacific coast, and forecasters predicted its center would brush close to land before nicking the tip of Baja California and heading out to sea.
A man walks on the beach in the resort city of Acapulco, Mexico on Wednesday Aug. 30, 2006. Hurricane John strengthened into a dangerous, Category 4 storm Wednesday before weakening slightly and forecasters predicted its center would come close to land during its march up Mexico's Pacific coast, where its outer bands already were lashing tourist resorts with heavy winds and rain.
Electrical utility workers try to clear a tree that fell on a street due to strong winds in the resort city of Acapulco, Mexico on Wednesday Aug. 30, 2006. Hurricane John lashed tourist resorts with heavy winds and rain as the dangerous storm marched up Mexico's Pacific coast, and forecasters predicted its center would come close to land before nicking the tip of Baja California and heading out to sea.
A man rakes the beach in the resort city of Acapulco, Mexico on Wednesday Aug. 30, 2006. Hurricane John strengthened into a dangerous storm Wednesday and forecasters predicted its center would come closer to land during its march up Mexico's Pacific coast, where its outer bands already were lashing tourist resorts with heavy winds and rain.
A Mexican army truck drives down the main avenue of the resort city of Acapulco, Mexico on Wednesday Aug. 30, 2006. Hurricane John lashed tourist resorts with heavy winds and rain as the dangerous storm marched up Mexico's Pacific coast, and forecasters predicted its center would come close to land before nicking the tip of Baja California and heading out to sea.