[1/5] People observe waves breaking on the beach as Hurricane Norma barrels towards the Baja California peninsula, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Fernando Castillo Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Hurricane Norma weakened to a Category 2 storm on Saturday as it approached the south of Mexico's Baja California peninsula where it was expected to make landfall later in the day, bringing with it a "dangerous storm surge." Mexican authorities called on residents of the state of Baja California Sur to take precautions and stay in their homes, while shelters were set up. "Norma is expected to remain a hurricane while it moves over the southern portion of Baja California Sur," the NHC said, noting nonetheless that further weakening was expected over the weekend. Local authorities maintained a "prevention zone" between the towns of Todos Santos and Los Barriles, in the state of Baja California Sur.

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Persons: Fernando Castillo, Norma, Marion Giraldo, Isabel Woodford, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S National Hurricane Center, NHC, Todos Santos, Mexican Pacific, Thomson Locations: Baja California, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, MEXICO, Mexico's Baja California, Baja California Sur, Todos, Mexican