The strength of Hurricane Bearil weakened on Friday, turning into a tropical storm after hitting Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing strong winds that caused property damage but no human casualties in the Yucatan Peninsula. The storm is now heading towards the Gulf of Mexico, and it is expected to strengthen as it approaches northeastern Mexico and the U.S. state of Texas by the end of the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
After sweeping through the Caribbean and the coast of Venezuela, leading to seven fatalities, it struck southeastern Mexico early on Friday, with winds reaching speeds of 175 km/h. The storm uprooted trees and power lines, as reported by the Mexican Civil Protection Authority. Power was cut off in at least three municipalities in the southeastern state of Quintana Roo, while it continued its path inland and weakened into a tropical storm.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated in his daily press conference, "According to initial reports, there have reportedly been no losses of life, which is what matters to us the most." Later, Mexican emergency authorities confirmed to reporters that there were no recorded injuries or fatalities and no damage to vital infrastructure such as roads and water networks.
Electricity has been restored to 70% of affected areas, and it is expected to be fully restored by Sunday, according to Civil Protection official Laura Velasquez. Approximately 2,200 people sought refuge in temporary shelters, while more than 25,600 security personnel and utility workers were deployed to assist residents and repair damages. As a precautionary measure, 348 flights were canceled at Cancun Airport, Mexico's second-largest airport.
