Americas News

Hurricane Paula threatens eastern Mexico, western Cuba (Roundup)

Oct 12, 2010, 21:39 GMT

Washington - Hurricane Paula was threatening the eastern Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and western Cuba on Tuesday, the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami said.

Paula has sustained winds of up to 160 kilometres per hour with higher gusts, making it a category-two hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale. The NHC noted that 'some strengthening' of this small hurricane was possible within the next 48 hours.

Paula was 220 kilometres southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, and was moving northwest at 17 kilometres per hour. On the forecast track, the NHC said, the centre of Paula was to approach the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula later Tuesday or Wednesday.

Strong winds and heavy rain were expected in portions of Mexico and Cuba.

The hurricane season in the Atlantic is set to end in late November. So far, it has caused heavy rain and great damage across Mexico and Central America.

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