A vendor walks by a red warning flag on Playa de Oro, or Gold beach, before the arrival of Tropical Storm Beatriz in the Pacific resort city of Manzanillo, Mexico, Monday June 20, 2011. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Beatriz is expected to become a hurricane Monday night or early Tuesday, brushing over Mexico's southwestern coast later that day before heading back out to sea. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)

MIAMI (AP) — The National Weather Service says Tropical Storm Beatriz has reached hurricane strength, as its heavy rains and strong winds have begun pounding resort beaches on Mexico's Pacific coast.

Authorities closed the popular tourist ports of Acapulco and Manzanillo ahead of the hurricane's arrival.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Beatriz had sustained winds of about 75 miles per hour (121 kph) and is expected to brush over Mexico's southwestern coast before heading back out to sea.

Beatriz is located about 85 miles (140 kms) southeast of Manzanillo and moving northwest at 12 mph (19 kph).

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