Hurricane Rina weakened to a tropical storm Thursday as it steadily moved towards the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center reports Rina will likely brush the coast Thursday night with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. At least 3 to 6 inches of rain is expected along with “large and destructive waves.”
Despite the storm system weakening, the hurricane center urged residents in coastal areas to finish preparations and exercise caution. "They need to get their preparations done now; they cannot let their guard down at all," said a spokesman for the center.
Authorities have already ordered the evacuation of islands and vulnerable areas. Thousands of evacuees are currently set to wait out the storm in shelters.
Rina is expected to weaken to a tropical depression as it approaches Cuba on Friday.
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