Hurricane Norma downgraded to Category 2 ahead of landfall

Ahead of its expected landfall near Cabo San Lucas, Hurricane Norma weakened from a Category 4 to a Category 2 storm on Friday, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

The storm featured sustained winds of 109 miles an hour (175 kmh) and was expected to bring heavy rainfall due to its slow speed of five miles an hour (8 kmh).

The government activated a national emergency plan and over 6,600 soldiers were placed on alert in the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur.

Norma could make landfall twice, first as a Category 1 hurricane in San Jose del Cabo and then again overnight Sunday in the state of Sinaloa, according to Mexico’s Conagua national water commission.