Hurricane heading for Yucatan

CANCUN, Mexico – A strengthening Hurricane Paula roared toward Mexico’s resort-dotted Yucatan Peninsula on Tuesday.

The hurricane smashed homes and forced schools to cancel classes in Honduras early Tuesday, then grew into a Category 2 storm with top sustained winds of 100 miles per hour on its way to the Yucatan, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

Moving north-northwest at near 10 mph, Paula’s center was expected to pass just to the east of Cancun this morning, and could near Category 3 strength by then, the center said.

It warned that preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

Dozens of boat owners in Cancun hauled yachts and other vessels to shore, while sea tour operators canceled reservations.

At least one company, Transbordadores del Caribe, canceled ferry trips from Playa del Carmen to the resort island of Cozumel south of Cancun, though others were still operating.