By Fredy Garcia PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico (Reuters) -Hurricane John hit Mexico's southern Pacific coast late on Monday as a major category 3 storm, with authorities warning residents to protect themselves against potentially deadly storm surges and torrential rain.

PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico (Reuters) -Hurricane John rapidly strengthened to a Category 2 storm on Monday and was expected to intensify further before hitting Mexico's southern Pacific coast in the comi