Cancun, Mexico – Long lines of people choked the Cancun airport Saturday as tourists rushed to leave the Caribbean resort ahead of Hurricane Emily, which packed 155-mph winds as it streaked toward Mexico.
Mexican officials issued a hurricane warning for much of the eastern Yucatan peninsula, including Cancun, and authorities were recommending that tourists abandon much of Mexico’s Caribbean coast as a precaution.
Mexico issued a hurricane warning from Chetumal to Cabo Catoche, north of Cancun. The Interior Department urged people to take refuge at least a half mile inland.
Cancun city government officials met with local bus companies to arrange transportation for tourists away from the low-lying spit of land that houses much of Cancun’s hotel sector, which lies almost directly in the Category 4 hurricane’s path.
The Mexican government was preparing shelters that could hold thousands of local residents and tourists.
Mexico’s Tourism Department recommended evacuating the islands of Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Contoy and Cozumel while favorable weather and sea conditions still allowed.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said the hurricane could reach Category 5 strength by today.
Saturday, Emily was about 130 miles south-southeast of Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, traveling west at 18 mph.
Emily is expected to hit the Yucatan peninsula late today. From there, it could cross over the peninsula, travel across the Gulf and hit land again somewhere near the Mexico-Texas border, the hurricane center said.
