Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season approached the Gulf Coast of Mexico Thursday morning carrying heavy rains and leaving at least four people dead the storm weakened as it moved inland over northeast Mexico and was downgraded to a tropical depression by the U.S Alberto's remnants were later scattered over central Mexico forecasters said heavy rain amounting to several inches was expected inland in Mexico’s Tamaulipas Nuevo Leon and Coahuila states.Alberto also hit the coast of Texas with rains and flooding The Tropical Storm Warning was discontinued for the coast of Texas as of Thursday but continued for the northeastern coast of Mexico south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Tecolutla civil protection authorities reported four deaths linked to Alberto's rains They said one man died in the La Silla river in the city of Monterrey and that two minors died from electric shocks in the municipality of Allende Local media reported that the minors were riding a bicycle in the rain A fourth man was electrocuted when he tried to repair wires in the rain Alberto is forecast to bring heavy rain and coastal flooding to much of the western Gulf Coast through the end of the week Another area of low pressure is forecast to develop near the Yucatan Peninsula this weekend Gradual development is possible early next week and a tropical depression could form as it moves slowly north-northwest This area currently has a 50% chance of development over the next 7 days The other area being monitored is located several hundred miles east of the Bahamas where a trough of low pressure is producing showers and storms The system is now approaching the southeastern United States with only a 30% chance through the next two days tropical moisture will move into the region The moisture will enhance afternoon showers and thunderstorm activity for Florida into the weekend ____Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article The Mexican flag flies high above the deck of the R/V Knorr The ship was officially transferred to the Mexican Navy in a ceremony Monday afternoon Rear Admiral Chris Sadler shakes hands with Vice Admiral Francisco Perez Rico Naval attache to the Mexican Embassy in Washington DC after signing the transfer of the ship R/V Knorr to the Mexican Navy The ceremony took place on the deck of the ship at the WHOI dock on Monday afternoon now called the ARM Rio Tecolutla officially was transferred to the Mexican Navy on Monday The ship is to set sail Tuesday for Mexico The Mexican flag flew from the ship known for the past 40 years as the R/V Knorr at the vessel’s transfer ceremony from the United States Navy to the Mexican Navy The ceremony took place at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution dock on Monday the US Navy and the Mexican Navy along with the ship’s crew and about 30 invited guests sat under a tent on the ship’s deck to watch the ceremony which began with the sound of a bosun’s whistle and introductions of the official guests first read in Spanish and then translated to English speaking briefly about the history of the vessel that arrived at WHOI in 1970 traveled 1.3 million miles and on 250 missions becoming a significant contributor to the scientific research culture at WHOI and nationwide “Our time with the Knorr is now done; congratulations and smooth sailing to the people of Mexico,” Dr spoke about the significant discoveries made with the R/V Knorr that included deep ocean thermal vents in 1977 and the Titanic in 1985 The US Navy has supported scientific research since after World War II with its fleet of vessels operated by difference institutions throughout the country who was appointed chief engineer cartographer of the US Navy hydrographic office in 1860 you are getting a fine ship,” Admiral Sadler said before he and Vice Admiral Francisco Perez Rico Naval attache to the Mexican Embassy in Washington The ship is to carry on the work of Ernest Knorr doing hydrographic and bathymetric measurements mapping the sea floor and joins a fleet of four other scientific vessels owned by the Mexican Navy “The receipt of the Knorr represents a singular importance synonymous with strength and opportunity in the area of oceanographic research,” said Rear Admiral Fernando Alfonso Angli Rodriguez hydrography and meteorology with the Mexican Navy The ceremony ended with the playing of the Mexican national anthem followed by the United States national anthem “It’s an honor to be on a vessel with a lot of history,” said Lieutenant Francisco Ortiz after the ceremony A total of 40 crew members came to Woods Hole in the past month to train on the ship Lieutenant Ortiz said more crew are to be added once the ship arrives in Mexico “It’s definitely melancholy to see her leaving but we know that she is going to be in good hands,” Dr WHOI is now anticipating the arrival of the Knorr’s replacement Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist A look back at what was making headlines years ago An e-newsletter with Bourne news sent each Wednesday Receive notices of breaking news for the Upper Cape An e-newsletter with Falmouth news sent each Tuesday A Monday morning e-newsletter with stories that readers might have overlooked in Friday's editions and a roundup of the stories that attracted the most attention on the Enterprise's website during the past week An e-newsletter with Mashpee news sent each Wednesday An e-newsletter with Sandwich news sent each Wednesday An e-newsletter sent on Thursdays highlighting local entertainment for the coming week A good news e-newsletter delivered every Saturday morning.   A Friday e-newsletter with headlines from all four Upper Cape towns Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Eight people are dead after Hurricane Grace moved over the coast of Veracruz 20 kilometers north of Tecolutla shortly after midnight Friday as a Category 3 hurricane Grace made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 205 kmh and gusts to 240 The state government said Saturday afternoon that seven people died in Xalapa as a result of landslides in the early hours of the morning The areas worst hit were in Tecolutla and Poza Rica Governor Cuitláhuac García told a press conference Saturday afternoon it was unclear how extensive the damage was because areas that took the brunt of hurricane remained cut off A man who was able to get word out about the damage said in Poza Rica “everything was destroyed.” falling to the ground and breaking apart; [there are] fallen billboards all the electricity wires … are on the ground it hit extremely hard and I imagine that in Tecolutla and Zamora and that area it’s the same or worse.” The Noticias RTV news agency reported highways are blocked and the town’s restaurant zone was completely destroyed The National Meteorological Service said Saturday morning that Grace had been downgraded to Category 2 as it made its way westward through Tulancingo becoming a tropical storm some three hours later as it passed near Mexico City National Hurricane Center said its remnants will likely move into the eastern north Pacific by Sunday afternoon and could develop into a new tropical cyclone next week But the effects of the hurricane will continue in the form of heavy rain in many states The National Water Commission warned Saturday afternoon that torrential rains were forecast in Colima With reports from Reforma and e-veracruz ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Alberto became the first named storm of the 2024 Hurricane Season Tropical Storm Alberto had formed over the western Gulf of Mexico Alberto has maximum sustained winds of 40mph and is moving west at 9mph A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass southward to the mouth of the Rio Grande and the northeastern coast of Mexico south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Tecolutla Alberto's current path should have no impact on Florida Report a typo WOODS HOLE — After a year sitting at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution dock waiting for a new home the research vessel Knorr will sail again — this time under the flag of the Mexican government The ship was transferred to the Mexican Navy in December under the terms of a grant transfer with the U.S That means the Mexican government got the ship for free but is paying $3.3 million to outfit the vessel and be trained on its operation said Naval Sea Systems Command spokesman Rory O'Connor About 30 Mexican Navy personnel are now in Woods Hole working with WHOI personnel to get familiar with the Knorr "We have more or less a full crew here and will be beginning in earnest what would be a training period," he said "Ultimately that will lead to some sea trials and the ship will sail in the middle of March."  Munier said after after it leaves Woods Hole the 279-foot Knorr will head first to a shipyard in Veracruz before sailing to Manzanillo The Knorr will be used as a survey ship related to the country's exclusive economic zone or its "home waters," where it has exclusive rights to exploration and use of marine resources The Knorr was decommissioned in December 2014 after more than a million miles sailed as the workhorse of WHOI's scientific fleet Navy but operated by WHOI and was the site of many of the oceanographic institution's most notable scientific work including the 1985 discovery of the Titanic led by a team of American and French scientists and the 1977 discovery of life at undersea thermal vents in the Galapagos Rift 400 miles off the west coast of South America Replacing the Knorr will be the Neil Armstrong the first of a new class of research vessel being added to the nation’s ocean science fleet and most of the crew will transfer to the new vessel The new $74 million ship will be chock-full of state-of-the-art equipment but it won’t have the range or heft of the Knorr especially in the turbulent upper-latitude oceans where the ship spent much of its time WHOI took possession of the Neil Armstrong in September and the ship sailed from the Dakota Creek Industries Inc to be outfitted with its scientific equipment Munier said the ship will do sea trials and some short science missions to do a shakedown of its gear and exercise various systems before sailing to Woods Hole The ship is tentatively scheduled to arrive sometime in April WHOI personnel will have one more chance to say farewell to the Knorr "It was an outstanding performer for us right up to the last cruise."  — Follow Sean F. Driscoll on Twitter: @seanfdriscoll Insured losses to onshore properties from Hurricane Grace will amount to $330 million catastrophe risk modeler Karen Clark & Co KCC said $300 million of those damages occurred in Mexico and $30 million in the Caribbean Grace made landfall in Guadeloupe and Montserrat on Aug Haiti and the Dominican Republic on August 16 with 35 mph maximum sustained winds and Jamaica on August 17 with 50 mph maximum sustained winds Grace crossed the Caribbean and made two landfalls in Mexico: near Tulum with 80 mph maximum sustained winds on August 19 and near Tecolutla with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph on Aug KCC said the storm had a minimal impact on the Yucatan Peninsula with the majority of damage resulting from downed trees Central Mexico experienced more significant damage including structural damage to coastal structures when Category 3 winds came ashore The National Hurricane Center began tracking Grace on Aug 13 as it approached the Lesser Antilles as Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven Warm sea temperatures and decreasing wind shear allowed the storm to intensify and emerge as a tropical storm on Aug A high pressure system prevented Grace from turning north The storm tracked westward and passed south of Puerto Rico on Aug Grace passed over the Barahona Peninsula in the Dominican Republic and skimmed the southern coast of Haiti Grace regained strength and struck the northern coast of Jamaica as a tropical storm Grace made the first Mexico landfall along the Yucatan Peninsula as a Category 1 hurricane The storm weakened but regained strength when it reemerged over the Bay of Campeche on August 20 Unexpected rapid intensification occurred just before Grace made landfall on August 21 and the hurricane moved onshore in Veracruz with maximum intensity of 125 mph and Grace became a tropical storm the same morning The storm dissipated while over central Mexico that afternoon Low-level wind damage in the Caribbean was isolated to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands There was some damage to non-structural building components such as roof coverings in the Cayman Islands Category 1 wind speeds in the Yucatan Peninsula resulted in widespread low-level wind damage contributed to power outages to nearly 700,000 customers and caused scattered structural damage The Category 3 winds that struck Central Mexico resulted in extensive damage near the coast KCC said the region experiences fewer hurricanes than the Yucatan Peninsula and buildings are more vulnerable to wind damage Grace produced significant precipitation in eastern and central Mexico which saturated soils and overwhelmed drainage networks Landslides also contributed to infrastructure disruption and caused damage to some residential buildings About the photo: A woman begins clearing debris from her kitchen after a part of her home was damaged by winds brought on by Hurricane Grace Grace hit Mexico’s Gulf shore as a major Category 3 storm before weakening on Saturday drenching coastal and inland areas in its second landfall in the country in two days Please tell us what we can do to improve this article Get the latest insurance newssent straight to your inbox We have updated our privacy policy to be more clear and meet the new requirements of the GDPR. By continuing to use our site, you accept our revised Privacy Policy MIAMI — The first named storm of the 2024 hurricane season formed Wednesday morning Tropical Storm Alberto formed over the western Gulf of Mexico packing heavy rains coastal flooding and gusty winds is forecast along the coasts of Texas and northeastern Mexico through Thursday A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass southward to the mouth of the Rio Grande TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide The northeastern coast of Mexico south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Tecolutla is also under a tropical storm warning.  10AM CDT June 19: #Alberto forms in the western Gulf of Mexico. Tropical storm conditions are expected today within the warning area. Alberto is a very large system with rainfall, coastal flooding, and wind impacts extending far from the center. For more visit… pic.twitter.com/GuFJfQVx6d Alberto was moving toward the west at about 9 mph A westward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected through Thursday the center of Alberto will reach the coast of northeastern Mexico early Thursday morning Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts Some slight strengthening is forecast today or tonight before the center of Alberto reaches land Tropical Storm Alberto is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across northeast Mexico into South Texas Maximum totals of around 20 inches are possible across the higher terrain of the Mexican states of Coahuila This rainfall will likely produce considerable flash and urban flooding along with new and renewed river flooding Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain across northeast Mexico Rapid weakening is expected once the center moves inland and Alberto is likely to dissipate over Mexico Thursday or Thursday night which was a Category 2 hurricane at its peak strength Katia's remnants were moving over Eastern Mexico and continuing to drop rain on the region. An additional 3 to 6 inches of rainfall are still expected over parts of Veracruz "There will still be a threat for heavy rain and mudslides over the mountainous terrain," the National Hurricane Center's final advisory said.  and the radius of tropical-storm-force winds extends about 70 miles The peak of the season is usually around September 10 and the fourth hurricane of the season doesn't typically occur until about September 21 Katia was the sixth hurricane in 2017 Mexico (AP) -- The 8.1 quake off the southern Pacific coast just before midnight Thursday toppled hundreds of buildings in several states where 36 people died and a third of the city's homes collapsed or were uninhabitable President Enrique Pena Nieto said late Friday in an interview with the Televisa news network National Coordinator of Civil Protection of the Ministry of the Interior the remains of brick walls and clay tile roofs cluttered streets as families dragged mattresses onto sidewalks to spend a second anxious night sleeping outdoors while others feared further aftershocks could topple their cracked adobe dwellings our homes and our people," said Rosa Elba Ortiz Santiago who sat with her teenage son and more than a dozen neighbors on an assortment of chairs Hurricane Katia was roaring onshore north of Tecolutla in Veracruz state pelting the region with intense rains and winds National Hurricane Center reported Katia's maximum sustained winds had dropped to 75 mph (120 kph) when it made landfall And it rapidly weakened even further over land into a tropical storm The center said Katia was stalling over Mexico's Sierra Madre mountains where it could bring 10 to 15 inches (25 to 37 centimeters) of rain to a region with a history of deadly mudslides and flooding The storm's maximum sustained winds were down to near 40 mph (65 kph) It was expected to continue to dissipate over the course of Saturday Pena Nieto declared three days of national mourning The toll included numerous victoms in Juchitan located on the narrow waist of Oaxaca known as the Isthmus where a hospital and about half the city hall also collapsed into rubble 47-year-old Jose Alberto Martinez said he and family members have long been accustomed to earthquakes at first they simply waited a bit for it to stop - until objects began falling and they bolted for the street "We felt like the house was coming down on top of us," Martinez said he didn't feel safe going back inside until the home is inspected an older building had crumbled into a pile of rough timbers while little remained of a white church on the corner The city's civil defense coordinator, Jose Antonio Marin Lopez, said similar searches had been going on all over the area. Teams found bodies in the rubble, but the highlight was pulling four people, including two children, alive from the completely collapsed Hotel Del Rio where one woman died. "The priority continues to be the people," Marin said. Pena Nieto said authorities were working to re-establish supplies of water and food and provide medical attention to those who need it. He vowed the government would help rebuild. "The power of this earthquake was devastating, but we are certain that the power of unity, the power of solidarity and the power of shared responsibility will be greater," Pena Nieto said. Power was cut at least briefly to more than 1.8 million people, and authorities closed schools in at least 11 states to check them for safety. The Interior Department reported that 428 homes were destroyed and 1,700 were damaged just in Chiapas, the state closest to the epicenter. "Homes made of clay tiles and wood collapsed," said Nataniel Hernandez, a human rights worker living in Tonala, Chiapas, who worried that inclement weather threatened to bring more structures down. "Right now it is raining very hard in Tonala, and with the rains it gets much more complicated because the homes were left very weak, with cracks," Hernandez said by phone. The earthquake also jolted the Mexican capital, more than 650 miles (1,000 kilometers) away, which largely lies atop a former lakebed whose soil amplifies seismic waves. Memories are still fresh for many of a catastrophic quake that killed thousands and devastated large parts of the city in 1985. Mexico City escaped major damage, though part of a bridge on a highway being built to a new international airport collapsed due to the earthquake, local media reported. The quake's power was equal to Mexico's strongest in the past century, and it was slightly stronger than the 1985 quake, the U.S. Geological Survey said. However its impact was blunted somewhat by the fact that it struck some 100 miles offshore. The epicenter was in a seismic hotspot in the Pacific where one tectonic plate dives under another. Such subduction zones are responsible for some of the biggest quakes in history, including the 2011 Fukushima disaster and the 2004 Sumatra quake that spawned a deadly tsunami. In the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, tourists abandoned coastal hotels as winds and rains picked up ahead of Hurricane Katia's landfall and workers set up emergency shelters. "The arrival of (hashtag)Katia may be particularly dangerous for slopes affected by the earthquake. Avoid these areas," Pena Nieto tweeted. POZA RICA, Mexico — The remnants of Hurricane Dean dumped heavy rain across central Mexico on Thursday, drenching mudslide-prone mountains as it pushed inland after slamming into the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm and killing four people. Neighbors banded together to clear fallen trees with axes and machetes from the streets of this storm-lashed city, while workers began reconnecting downed power lines. Mexican officials said Thursday that four people died after the storm struck the central Mexican coast. In Veracruz state, a man drowned trying to cross a swollen river and another was crushed to death by a rain-soaked wall. In neighboring Hidalgo state, a woman and her 14-year-old son were killed when their shack collapsed on them in a mountain village. Jamaica also reported another death, bringing the storm's toll to 25. The National Hurricane Center in Miami downgraded Dean to a tropical depression late Wednesday but was keeping close watch Thursday to see whether it would re-form over the Pacific Ocean. With up to 20 inches of rain expected, authorities worried there could still be floods or mudslides. Dean's remnants moved out over the Pacific Ocean near Manzanillo. Even if the system does slowly regain tropical storm force, forecasters would give it another name because Dean weakened below tropical cyclone status over Mexico's mountains. The mountain ranges near Mexico's coast are dotted with villages connected by precarious roads and susceptible to disaster. A rainstorm in 1999 caused floods that killed at least 350 people. Dean slammed into Mexico for the second time in as many days Wednesday with top sustained winds of 100 mph. Its center hit the tourism and fishing town of Tecolutla. The wide storm's hurricane-force winds lashed at a 60-mile stretch of the Mexican coast in Veracruz state. "There's been a tremendous amount of damage across the state," Veracruz Gov. Fidel Herrera told the Televisa television network. In the vanilla-harvest heartland of Papantla, "a huge number of roofs were ripped off houses," he said. As the storm pushed inland, Poza Rica, located 30 miles from Tecolutla, became the area's command center, and hundreds of people awoke in shelters there Thursday. Maria Patricia Perez, a 40-year-old merchant in Poza Rica, had the tin roof ripped completely off her house. "We were afraid it would knock down everything," she said. Exhausted residents described helping one another battle Dean's rains and winds. Shopkeeper Joel Cruz's house was left without electricity or telephone lines after a 30-year-old pine tree gave way, but it could have been worse. Amid the howling winds, his neighbors helped him tie ropes around the tree and they were able to direct its fall away from his home. They also managed to move two cars away just before the giant tree came down. "It was an adventure we survived," the 30-year-old Cruz said. Dean hit the mainland as a Category 2 storm after regaining some of the force it unleashed on the Yucatan. Its first strike on the peninsula Tuesday as a Category 5 tempest with 165 mph winds was the third most intense Atlantic hurricane ever to make landfall. Mexico suspended offshore oil production and shut down its only nuclear power plant as tens of thousands headed for higher ground. The state oil company reopened three ports in the southern Gulf after the storm passed and said there was no known damage to any of its production facilities. Producers of corn and sugar cane likely suffered heavy losses in Veracruz, a key agricultural state. Coffee plantations at higher elevations also were threatened by the heavy rain, industry officials said. Although Dean swept over Yucatan as a rare Category 5 hurricane, which is capable of causing catastrophic damage, its top winds were relatively narrow and appeared to hit just one town: the cruise ship port of Majahual. Nearly everyone in Majahual fled or was evacuated ahead of the storm. Dean demolished hundreds of houses, crumpled steel girders, splintered wooden structures and washed away parts of concrete dock that transformed what once was a sleepy fishing village into a top cruise ship destination. A spokesman for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Michael Sheehan, said the company may have to find an alternative for a ship that has a port call at Costa Maya on Aug. 30. Another top cruise ship operator, Carnival Corp., said early reports were that damage to Costa Maya was extensive and "the port will be out of commission for an indeterminate period." Information still was sparse about dozens of inland Mayan Indian communities where people living in stick huts rode out the storm. Greatly weakened from its trip across the peninsula, Dean moved through the southern Gulf of Mexico, home to 100 oil platforms, three major oil-exporting ports and the Cantarell oil field, Mexico's most productive. All offshore production was halted ahead of the storm, reducing daily production by 2.7 million barrels of oil and 2.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas. But Pemex said its offshore platforms and loading facilities would emerge without major damage. POZA RICA, Mexico - It drove terror deep into Mexico, smashing ashore as the third most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever to hit land. But the furious beast proved relatively toothless, thanks to large-scale preparations - and a lot of luck. Hurricane Dean did kill at least eight people in Mexico. It also destroyed sugar cane, corn crops and mango orchards and demolished a major cruise ship port. Insured losses were estimated to be less than $300 million. The fast-moving hurricane first punched the Yucatan peninsula as a Category 5 storm, and many feared catastrophe for one of Mexico's poorest regions. It later spun through the heart of Mexico's offshore oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico and slammed into the mainland coast. But luckily, Dean missed all major cities, tearing through areas of tiny villages, farmland and forest. It didn't linger like more damaging storms, and by the time it hit key oil platforms and ports, Dean had weakened. It also helped that people heeded the government's warnings, which were issued in Spanish and in Mayan languages: At least 18,000 fled to government shelters before the storm hit. Tourism officials also got organized, evacuating more than 50,000 tourists from Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Soldiers escorted all but a stubborn few out of Majahual, a village with a huge concrete pier that 1 million cruise ship passengers per year recognize as the Puerto Costa Maya stop on their itineraries. The eye of the hurricane passed directly over Majahual, and it turned out to be the only town that suffered catastrophic damage. Sustained winds of 165 mph and a powerful storm surge demolished hundreds of houses, crumpled steel girders, splintered wooden structures and washed away huge sections of the pier. Mexican Economy Secretary Eduardo Sojo estimated Thursday that it would take six months to repair the Majahual port, but Carnival Corp. said it's not clear when Costa Maya might come back. In the past, few would leave their homes or stores for fear of looting. Now people realize hurricanes pose the greater danger after seeing Wilma ravage Cancun in 2005 and Mitch kill nearly 11,000 in neighboring Central America in 1998. "We have become more aware of these phenomena," said Joel Cruz, 30, a shopkeeper in Poza Rica, an oil city on the Gulf coast of Veracruz near where Dean made its second landfall. "Before we would wait until the last minute before moving a finger." Beatriz Hernandez, 31, said that people in 1999 ignored warnings before heavy rains prompted floods that killed 350, destroyed tens of thousands of homes and damaged the pre-Hispanic ruins at Tajin in Veracruz. "Now we know that when they say it's going to be bad, that it really is bad," said Hernandez, watching as men removed the mango and avocado trees knocked over by Dean's winds, which also ripped the roof off her Poza Rica home. Hernandez had fled to a friend's more sturdier home beforehand. President Felipe Calderon said in Veracruz on Thursday that "we Mexicans can feel - if not satisfied - motivated" because the response by officials and residents saved lives and minimized damage. Outsiders are taking interest in Mexico's hurricane preparations and reconstruction efforts. State Treasurer John Kennedy of Louisiana, a state devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, flew to Mexico in January to study how Cancun bounced back so quickly as a top resort. The city of 526,000 completed 90 percent of its rebirth only a year after Wilma destroyed it and caused $3 billion in losses. "More than anything else, it's about being prepared," said Jorge Acevedo, a spokesman for Quintana Roo state, where Cancun is located. He noted that the state governor had ordered the evacuation of some islands and hotels while Dean was still days away in the Caribbean. Thousands of Maya Indians lost their thatch-roofed homes as Dean blew through their isolated communities, far south of the glitzy tourist resorts. These Maya also lost the innumerable fruit trees they depend on to live. Some said no other hurricane had hit them so hard. Alvaro Sosa, a resident of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, said as "frequent customers of the hurricanes," Mexico is quickly becoming an expert nation. "God is great and spared us," said Jorge Armando Ramirez, 28, an elementary school teacher. "But horrible things could have happened." Associated Press writers Julie Watson in Mexico City, Mark Stevenson in Quintana Roo and Adrian Sainz in Miami contributed to this report. Hurricane Grace left at least eight people dead as it tore through eastern Mexico Saturday, causing flooding, power blackouts and damage to homes before gradually losing strength over mountains. The storm made landfall in Mexico for a second time during the night near Tecolutla in Veracruz state as a major Category Three storm, triggering warnings of mudslides and significant floods. The streets of Tecolutla, home to about 24,000 people, were littered with fallen trees, signs and roof panels. Esteban Dominguez's beachside restaurant was reduced to rubble. "Over there was my house, but it's destroyed. I'm left with no roof or furniture," he told AFP. In the Veracruz state capital, Xalapa, streets were turned into muddy brown rivers. Many homes in the region were left without electricity after winds that clocked 125 miles (200 kilometers) per hour. "Unfortunately, we have seven deaths" in Xalapa and one more in the city of Poza Rica, including minors, Veracruz Governor Cuitlahuac Garcia told a news conference. Flooding was also reported in parts of neighboring Tamaulipas state, while in Puebla in central Mexico trees were toppled and buildings suffered minor damage. Grace weakened to a tropical storm as it churned inland, clocking maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). At 1800 GMT, the storm was located 35 miles northwest of Mexico City, which was drenched by heavy rain, and moving west at 13 mph, forecasters said. - 'Seek refuge' -Grace was "weakening rapidly over land but still causing very heavy rains and flooding over portions of east-central Mexico," the NHC said. The storm was forecast to weaken to a tropical depression and dissipate by early Sunday, it said. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had urged residents living in places considered to be at risk to "seek refuge in high places with relatives and in shelters." Nearly 8,000 civil defense members, soldiers and electricity board workers were ready to tackle the aftermath of the storm, he said on Friday night. Authorities in Veracruz state said they had prepared 200 storm shelters and urged residents to hunker down in safe places. Veracruz Governor Garcia warned of the risk of flooding and mudslides as the storm dumped heavy rain on the mountainous region. Authorities closed most highways in Veracruz, which is crossed by numerous rivers. - Fishermen affected -In preparation for the storm, workers along the coast boarded up windows to protect stores, fishermen brought their boats ashore and residents secured their homes after stocking up on canned food and water. "We will spend many days without fishing -- almost a week," said Isabel Pastrana Vazquez, head of Veracruz's federation of fisheries cooperatives. "About 35,000 fishermen will be affected because we can't go out. We're going to have a swell and rain," he said. The hurricane had already lashed Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, where more than 6,000 tourists and residents were evacuated to storm shelters earlier in the week across the southeastern state of Quintana Roo. The storm first struck on Thursday near the town of Tulum, famed for its Mayan temples, drenching a string of Caribbean beach resorts. The hurricane passed the Riviera Maya coastline without any loss of life, according to Quintana Roo Governor Carlos Joaquin.  To view comments, please register for free or log in to your account. Hurricane Grace swept through eastern Mexico with speeds of up to 125mph (200 km/h) when it reached land In Mexico the worst damage caused by the storm was in the state of Veracruz Residents of the coastal town of Tecolutla Members of the Mexican army were sent to help those worst affected At least eight people sadly lost their lives There have been widespread power cuts where the hurricane hit These power lines were almost completely blown over the effects of the storm passing through weren't as severe people have been urged to prepare for one of the most powerful storms in years Warnings have been issued as residents prepare for Hurricane Henri - which has strengthened from a tropical storm - to hit New York's Long Island and southern parts of New England on Sunday A state of emergency has been declared in parts of New York state as winds of up to 75mph (120km/h) and as much as six inches (15cm) of rain are expected More than 36 million people in large parts of southern New England as well as New York and New Jersey have received tropical storm warnings Many are boarding up their homes to try to protect them Around 300,000 people are expected to lose electricity Watch Newsround - signed and subtitled VideoWatch Newsround - signed and subtitled Top storiesVE Day: How are you celebrating 35'I was one the last people in Europe to know that the war was over' Video'I was one the last people in Europe to know that the war was over' New coin unveiled to mark 80 years since VE Day 9Happy News: Stories to make you smile VideoHappy News: Stories to make you smile What is Alcatraz and why does US President Trump want to reopen it 4Soviet spacecraft launched over 50 years ago is heading to Earth 3British woman becomes world's oldest person at 115 Home | Sci-tech Hurricane Grace gathered more strength as it barreled towards Mexico’s Gulf coast on Friday afternoon threatening to lash the oil-producing state of Veracruz and central Mexico with strong winds and heavy rains is forecast to strengthen further before it reaches land late on Friday or early on Saturday It should then weaken rapidly as it dissipates over land during the weekend Veracruz and its waters are home to several oil installations including Petroleos Mexicanos’ Lazaro Cardenas refinery in Minatitlan in the south of the state Current forecasts showed Grace expected to hit Veracruz well to the north of the city the NHC said Grace would dump 15-30 cm of rain over large swathes of eastern and central Mexico The heavy rainfall would likely cause areas of flash and urban flooding “We ask the population to be very alert,” Laura Velazquez head of Mexico’s civil protection authority told a regular news conference with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Grace pounded Mexico’s Caribbean coast on Thursday downing trees and causing power outages for nearly 700 000 people it doused Jamaica and Haiti with torrential rain Grace was about 185 kilometers northeast of the city of Veracruz blowing maximum sustained winds of 150 km per hour Mexico is a land of diverse landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, offers an array of coastal destinations that beckon travelers seeking respite from the urban bustle. While the vibrant capital, Mexico City its inland location might leave beach enthusiasts yearning for the soothing caress of the ocean breeze for this enchanting nation harbors a myriad of seaside gems within a reasonable distance from the metropolis promising a rejuvenating escape amidst pristine sands and turquoise waters Nestled along the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico the state of Veracruz boasts a captivating stretch known as the “Costa Esmeralda” or the Emerald Coast This aptly named region unfurls a string of beaches adorned with emerald-hued waters and inviting shores beckoning even the most restless souls to surrender to relaxation From cozy bungalows to well-appointed resorts the Costa Esmeralda caters to every traveler’s preference offering a harmonious blend of natural splendor and modern amenities Among the jewels that adorn the Emerald Coast the town of Tecolutla stands as the closest beach to mexico city a mere 322 kilometers (200 miles) from the bustling capital with its 15-kilometer (9-mile) stretch of golden sands and gentle waves invites visitors to indulge in the quintessential beach experience Whether you seek solace in the tranquility of the shoreline or crave adventure amidst the vibrant estuaries and mangroves While the Gulf Coast beckons with its emerald allure the Pacific shores of Mexico offer their own enchantments a renowned beach resort town situated approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) southwest of Mexico City has long captivated visitors with its golden beaches Once a playground for Hollywood’s elite inviting travelers to immerse themselves in its vibrant atmosphere While the Gulf Coast offers a captivating array of beach destinations the Pacific shores of Mexico unveil their own enchantments inviting travelers to explore the diverse coastal landscapes that adorn this extraordinary nation From the idyllic beaches of Puerto Escondido renowned for its world-class surfing waves and bohemian vibes where luxury resorts and eco-adventures coexist in harmony the Pacific coast promises an unforgettable journey Puerto Escondido has earned a well-deserved reputation as a surfer’s mecca attracting wave enthusiasts from around the globe offers much more than its legendary swells and an array of accommodations catering to every budget Puerto Escondido invites visitors to immerse themselves in the authentic spirit of coastal living Nestled along the Pacific shores of Oaxaca Huatulco is a coastal paradise that seamlessly blends natural beauty with modern luxury This enchanting destination comprises nine bays each offering its own unique charm and inviting visitors to explore the region’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage While the Pacific and Gulf coasts offer a wealth of beach destinations within reach of Mexico City the Caribbean shores of the Riviera Maya unveil their own enchantments beckoning travelers to explore the region’s turquoise waters Nestled along the Caribbean coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum has emerged as a bohemian haven captivating visitors with its laid-back vibe This enchanting destination seamlessly blends ancient Mayan ruins with modern-day relaxation offering a unique and unforgettable experience Nestled along the sparkling shores of the Riviera Maya Playa del Carmen has evolved from a quaint fishing village into a vibrant coastal destination offering a perfect blend of natural beauty This captivating town invites visitors to immerse themselves in the region’s vibrant atmosphere while exploring its rich Mayan heritage and indulging in the ultimate beach experience This area offers some of the best beaches near Mexico City