Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Hurricane Rina Strengthens, Takes Aim at Mexico Coastal Resorts
Published October 26, 2011
| Associated Press
| Associated Press
Excerpt:
State Tourism Director Juan Carlos Gonzalez Hernandez said there were about 83,000 tourists in the state, with about 45,000 of those on a stretch of coast south of Cancun that includes Tulum and Playa de Carmen, and almost 28,000 in Cancun.
There were only about 1,719 tourists in Cozumel, and many of them were leaving, Gonzalez Hernandez said.
"In the case of Cozumel, which could be hit hardest, people are leaving of their own accord and are cutting their reservations short," said Gonzalez Hernandez.
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In Cancun's hotel zone, a string of pickup trucks hauled small boats and jet skis away from marinas, while workers at shopping malls began boarding up windows.
At least eight cruise ships were changing itineraries away from the storm's path, said Carnival Cruise Lines spokesman Vance Gulliksen.
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Forecasters said Rina was likely to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of about 115 mph later Wednesday.
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Forecasters said Rina was likely to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of about 115 mph later Wednesday.
The forecast track shows it curving east toward Cuba by the weekend, but senior hurricane specialist Michael Brennan at the hurricane center said it could also move toward southern Florida.