Barbara Now Hurricane, Nearing Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Tropical Storm Barbara is now Hurricane Barbara and is nearing Mexico’s southern Pacific Coast on Wednesday, reports said.

The hurricane will likely pass over Mexico’s largest oil refinery, reported Reuters.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Barbara is around 65 miles southeast of Salina Cruz in southern Oaxaca state and has winds with a maximum of 75 miles per hour.

Mexico’s oil firm, Pemex, said that the refinery is operating normally.

The hurricane will make landfall in a undeveloped area, mostly lagoons with a few small fishing villages, reported The Associated Press.

The center said Barbara will likely weaken dramatically as it hits land.

Mexico issued a hurricane warning for Puerto Angel to Barra de Tonala.