Grace heads for a 2nd hit on Mexico
Strengthens again ahead of landfall Friday
TULUM, Mexico – Hurricane Grace, temporarily knocked back to tropical storm force, headed Friday for a second landfall in Mexico, this time taking aim at the Gulf coast after crashing through the country’s main tourist strip.
The storm lost punch as it zipped across the Yucatan Peninsula, but it emerged late Thursday over the relatively warm Gulf of Mexico and was gaining energy.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Grace’s winds were back up to 90 mph Friday afternoon.
It was centered about 185 miles east of Tuxpan and was heading west at 10 mph.
Forecasters predicted strengthening before Grace makes landfall.
The forecast track was to take it toward a coastal region of small fishing towns and beach resorts, likely Friday night, then over a mountain range toward the heart of the country and the greater Mexico City region.
Forecasters said it could drop 6 to 12 inches of rain, with more in a few isolated areas – bringing the threat of flash floods, mudslide and urban flooding.
The hurricane hit early Thursday near Tulum, a resort town famed for its Mayan ruins.
As the storm approached, Carlos González grabbed his 11⁄2-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 only thing I have left is what I’m wearing,” the 35-year-old construction worker said. “I knew my house wasn’t going to stand it because it’s made of cardboard. When the wind came I was really scared and decided to leave.”
Many streets were blocked by fallen limbs and trees that pulled down power lines, leaving thousands in the dark Thursday.