Tropical Storm Julio Lashes Mexican Coast

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) - Tropical Storm Julio is buffeting the resort-dotted tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula.

More than 2,500 families who live along the river beds have fled their homes, with forecasters calling for up to a-half foot of rain.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami thinks Julio will weaken before making landfall, and could become a tropical depression by late Monday.

Most vacationers rode out the bad weather inside their hotel rooms Sunday, although some did venture out for sightseeing and shopping.

The desk manager at a hotel in Cabo San Lucas says his 224 guests are "very calm." He says they've been advised to stay away from the ocean but haven't cut short their vacations.

Mexican police and emergency workers have been touring shanty neighborhoods to help families get to shelters.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.