Hurricane Wilma weakening
2005-10-22 13:21
Miami - Hurricane Wilma pounding Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula weakened early on Saturday and was downgraded to a category three storm packing sustained winds of 205km/h, the United States National Hurricane Centre said.
"Some additional weakening is expected today while Wilma is over land," the centre said in its advisory.
It added that the storm was essentially stationary at the moment, with its eye located above the resort town of Playa del Carmen.
The centre predicted Wilma would gradually begin to turn north, toward the US state of Florida, later on Saturday.
Sea water rushed into the Mexican resort city of Cancun earlier on Saturday as Wilma whipped up a massive storm surge and unleashed heavy rain and driving winds over a resort area known for its picturesque beaches.
The storm has already claimed at least one life. A 33-year-old Mexican woman was electrocuted and killed in Cancun as she readied for the arrival of the storm, authorities said.
Six people were injured in a fire in Playa del Carmen Friday, when strong winds caused a gas tank to fall and ignite, authorities said.
- AFP