Hurricane Norbert crossing Baja California

CABO SAN LAZARO, Mexico, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Hurricane Norbert, with sustained top winds of near 100 mph, Saturday battered Baja California before heading to Mexico's west coast.

After crossing the baja, Norbert's eye was out over the Gulf of California, heading for mainland Mexico, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

A hurricane warning was in effect for the west coast of Baja California from Puerto San Andresito to Agua Blanca, and for the peninsula's east coast from north of La Paz to Loreto. A warning also was in place for the coastal mainland of Mexico from Topolobampo north to Guaymas, the center said.

At 5 p.m. EDT, Norbert was centered about 65 miles south-southeast of Loreto, Mexico, and about 125 miles west-southwest of Los Mochis, Mexico, moving to the north-northeast at about 15 mph. It was expected to make landfall on mainland Mexico during the night.

Hurricane-force winds were reaching 35 miles out from the center and winds were still at tropical storm levels 125 miles out.

Norbert was expected to drop 4-6 inches of rain over large areas, with up to 10 inches possible, producing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, hurricane center forecasters said.

The storm surge was expected to push tides 3-6 feet above normal.