Hurricane Grace strengthens heading for 2nd hit on Mexico

By FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ
Associated Press

TULUM, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Grace has rapidly strengthened into a major Category 3 storm as it bears down on a second landfall in Mexico. This time it’s taking aim at the Gulf coast after crashing through the country’s main tourist strip. The storm had lost punch as it zipped across the Yucatan Peninsula, but it is regaining energy over the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters say the storm should make landfall along a coastal region of small fishing towns and beach resorts late Friday or early Saturday. Then it will head over over a mountain range toward the heart of the country.