Hurricane Keith Strikes Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula

C H E T U M A L, Mexico, Oct. 2 -- Coastal residents of Mexico’s Yucatanpeninsula and northeastern Belize fled their homes as the dangerouscore of Hurricane Keith came ashore, bringing strong winds andtorrential rain.

Heavy rain and flooding throughout Central America caused atleast two deaths and forced hundreds to be evacuated. Scoresabandoned their homes in coastal Mexico and houses were toppled inBelize.

The slow-moving storm lost strength Sunday evening as it driftedinland, with winds dropping to 115 mph (185 kph) from a high of 135mph (215 kph). It was expected to further weaken today, accordingto the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Flash Flood Fears

Forecasters warned of flash floods and mud slides as heavy rainfell throughout Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, Belize, Honduras,Guatemala and Nicaragua, where a rain-swollen river swept away a16-year-old boy Sunday. Officials there evacuated more than 300people from low-lying areas.

In El Salvador, a 20-year-old man drowned in a river Saturday,officials said.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Keith was centered about 45 miles (70 kms)east of Belize City and about 70 miles (110 kms) south-southeast ofChetumal, Mexico. Its winds, which had topped 135 mph (216 kph),had dropped to 100 mph (160 kph) overnight.

Windy Cities

Hurricane warnings were in effect along the Yucatan peninsula’seastern shore.

Keith’ s hurricane force winds extended up to 25 miles (35kilometers) from the center, with tropical storm force windsextending 80 miles (130 kms).

The Belize villages of San Pedro and Caye Caulker were amongthe hardest hit, Red Cross officials said. Winds clocked at 120 mph(195 kph) blew roofs off homes and demolished makeshift shelters.

“The situation is pretty rough out there right now,” saidWilliam Skeen, director of the Red Cross in Belize City. “Peoplereally are in a frightened state at this time.”

Mexican authorities set up 300 shelters and evacuated 6,000people from high-risk areas in the Chetumal region, about 190 miles(305 kilometers) south of Cancun.