Hurricane Grace Wrecks Havoc on Veracruz Coast
Hurricane Grace smashed into Veracruz as a fierce Category 3 storm, battering the region with winds reaching 125 mph (201 km/h). The deadly cyclone made landfall near the popular resort town of Tecolutla, leaving destruction and despair in its wake.
Death Toll Rises as Veracruz Battles Devastation
The Veracruz state government confirmed at least eight fatalities, including six members of the same family. Jalapa, the state capital, bore the brunt of the tragedy. One victim died in a fatal collision at home, while another adult was crushed when a roof collapsed in Poza Rica, in northern Veracruz.
“It’s not the dimensions that destroy everything,” said Erica Herrera, a housewife from Tecolutla, tearfully describing the chaos. “Things are really bad.”
Governor Kutlahuac Garcia declared the state of emergency remains in effect amid ongoing flooding and damage. The nearby Octopus River burst its banks, forcing road closures and flooding streets. Videos showed coffins from local businesses floating amid the waterlogged streets of Jalapa.
Widespread Damage and Power Outages
Grace tore through Tecolutla with broken trees, smashed windows, and downed electric wires. Despite the destruction, no casualties were reported in the resort town. However, the impact intensified across Veracruz and neighboring Tamaulipas, where flooding hit Ciudad Madero near the border.
- Mexico City International Airport cancelled several flights in response to the storm.
- Power outages affected 565,000 customers as reported by the national electricity company CFE.
- Oil operations in the region, including Pemex’s refinery in Ciudad Madero and the Lazaro Cardenas refinery in Minatitlan, were braced but spared direct hits.
Grace Weakens but Threat Remains
The hurricane rapidly weakened over Mexico’s mountains, with winds dropping to 25 mph (35 km/h) as it moved inland. By afternoon, the storm’s center was 65 miles (105 km) west-northwest of Mexico City, per the National Hurricane Center.
President Andres Manuel Lopez urged residents in Veracruz, Puebla, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, and Hidalgo to seek higher ground or shelters ahead of the storm’s arrival. Thankfully, many heeded the warnings.
The NHC forecasted 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm) of rain across eastern and central Mexico, with up to 18 inches (45 cm) expected in some hotspots through Sunday. Heavy rains risked triggering dangerous storms and urban floods.
Grace’s Fury Spreads Across the Region
Earlier, Grace tore through Mexico’s Caribbean coast, downing trees and knocking out power for about 20,000 people but causing no deaths. The storm also unleashed heavy flooding over Jamaica and Haiti, which were already reeling from a massive 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
