Hurricane Pounds Yucatan Peninsula
Powerful Hurricane Isidore drove tens of thousands from their homes as it raked the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, then veered inland to slam the state capital, Merida.
The storm shredded trees, knocked out power, set roofs dancing in the air and prompted the state oil company to evacuate 8,000 workers from drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
Yucatan state Gov. Patricio Patron ordered 70,000 people to evacuate and said “the worst of scenarios” was happening as Isidore marched along the state’s coast with 125-mph winds, then edged inland toward the capital.
With many areas cut off by telephone or road, the governor said he had no confirmed reports of deaths and no estimate of damage.
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