Hurricane Rina Projected Path: Storm on Course to Hit Florida in Days?
Hurricane Rina, the Category 2 storm packing 110-mph winds expected to slam into Mexico's Caribbean coast within the next few hours, could pose a risk to South Florida.
According to the latest advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center, Rina's path has shifted northward near the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, and although the storm's intensity is expected to gradually weaken within the next 24 hours, it is uncertain with what intensity it will hit South Florida over the weekend, or even if it will hit at all.
Some weather models speculate that the storm may break apart once it hits the Yucatan and will be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reaches Florida, although it still uncertain what direction Rina will take. According to The Palm Beach Post, this is because of a massive cold front moving in from the north.
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However, forecasters are certain that the storm no longer has the potential to become classified as a Category 3 hurricane.
Many fishing communities and schools along of the Caribbean coast, a popular area for tourists and the site of many resorts, were evacuated Tuesday. According to the Washington Post, 275 residents of the town of Punta Allen were taken to emergency shelters on Tuesday, and about 500 are expected to be evacuated in total.
Residents of the island of Cozumel Luh McDevitt told the publication that the storm does not have her worried. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, McDevitt has lived on the island for 11 years.
"I am not really scared," she said. "Hurricane Andrew in 1992 was a Category 5. The worst part of the hurricane is after. We didn't have [electricity] in our house for three weeks."
