Hurricane Alma Strikes Mexico

The first Pacific hurricane of the season shredded homes, toppled trees and clogged roads Monday in southern Mexico, killing three people and forcing hundreds more to flee.

Forecasters downgraded Alma to a tropical storm late Monday, saying the 100-mph winds had subsided to 65 mph. Storm warnings remained in effect at 10 p.m. (8 p.m. PDT), and meteorologists warned of heavy rains and flash floods.

Soldiers helped police clear the roads and escort some 900 evacuees to shelters set up in schools and public buildings as the storm hovered off the coast, said Michoacan state Gov. Victor Manuel Tinoco Rubi.

Mango, banana and papaya plantations suffered “important” losses, the governor said.