 Authorities in El Salvador declared a national state of alert in response to the potential threat from the hurricane . Residents in flood @-@ prone areas were warned of potential flash flooding . As the hurricane turned sharply to the northwest , there are no reports of damage or deaths from Pauline in the country . Officials in Puerto Madero closed port facilities to all ships , excluding ships in open seas seeking shelter . The government ultimately closed six major ports between Acapulco and Puerto Madero . State authorities in Oaxaca opened 75 emergency shelters and prepared 50 schools to house 10 @,@ 000 people . 
