MEXICAN CITY, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane Norbert struck Mexico's southern Baja California peninsula on Saturday, bringing heavy downpours and screaming winds to the area, knocking down trees and forcing hundreds of local residents to flee homes and seek shelter.

    The Category 2 hurricane reached the peninsula at about 1630 GMT, according to Mexico's National Weather Service.

    The torrential rains caused by the hurricane, with winds of up to 160 km per hour, flooded some houses of local residents. It was estimated that over 2,800 people were being housed in temporary shelters.

    Mudslides and fallen trees blocked roads in some areas.

    The hurricane was expected to reach mainland Mexico Saturday night without being strengthened significantly, said the service, forecasting that it would be weakened once it moves into northwestern Mexico.

    Meanwhile, as weakening Tropical Storm Odile hit the southwest coast of Mexico, authorities of Guerrero state urged some 10,000 residents along river banks or other areas to evacuate.