After crashing through the main tourist strip of the country, Hurricane Grace was temporarily reduced to tropical storm force and headed for Friday.
Although the storm was not able to make a significant impact as it moved across the Yucatan Peninsula’s Yucatan Peninsula peninsula, it emerged late Thursday from the Gulf of Mexico where it had been relatively warm and was now gaining energy.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Grace’s winds had increased to 90 mph (150 km/h) on Friday morning. It was located approximately 145 miles (230 km) northeast of Veracruz port and was moving west at 10mph (17 kph).
Grace was moving slowly over the warm waters of Bay of Campeche. Forecasters warned that the storm would get stronger before it makes landfall. Mexico’s weather service warned Grace earlier this week that it could become a Category 2 hurricane.
The track forecast would lead it towards a coast region of small fishing villages and beach resorts, between Tuxpan, Veracruz, and Friday night. It then crosses a mountain range towards the center of the country and into the greater Mexico City region.
Forecasters predicted that it would drop 6-12 inches (15-30 centimeters) of rainfall, with more in some isolated areas. This could lead to flash flooding and mudslide, as well as urban flooding.
The storm struck Tulum, a town famous for its Mayan ruins. Many families spent hours sheltering from flying debris and cracking trees.
As the storm approached, Carlos Gonzalez grabbed his 1 1/2-year-old son and ran from his home with his wife to a school-turned-shelter, using his cellphone light to find his way through darkened streets.
The 35-year old construction worker stated that the only thing left was what he was wearing. “I knew that my cardboard-constructed house wouldn’t withstand it. “When the wind came, I was scared so I decided to flee.”
Although there were no deaths reported, many streets were blocked due to fallen trees and limbs that had pulled down power lines. This left thousands without electricity on Thursday.
Many businesses were closed. However, there was a long line of people waiting for tortillas and other food at the few remaining businesses.
Quintana Roo Gov. Carlos Joaquin stated that the storm knocked out power to approximately 84,000 Cancun customers and 65,000 in Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. He said that there were no deaths.
