Mexico Evacuates Remote Coastal Towns in Hurricane Rina’s Path

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, Hurricane Rina became a Category 1 storm, as maximum sustained winds weakened to 85 mph on Wednesday afternoon. Rina is expected to produce rainfall amounts of eight to 16 inches over the eastern Yucatan peninsula and Cozumel through Friday. Although it is predicted to further weaken over the next 48 hours, Rina is anticipated to remain a hurricane as it reaches the Mexican coast on Wednesday evening, before moving to the island of Cozumel.

As a result, hundreds of residents from the fishing town of Punta Allen, south of Tulum, and Banco Chinchorro were taken to emergency shelters on Tuesday evening as both areas are remote and evacuating in advance of the hurricane’s arrival was expected to take several days. Cruise ships also shifted their routes to avoid storm surges, waves and heavy rains.