Ernesto crosses Yucatan, regains some power

CHETUMAL, Mexico (AP) — Tropical Storm Ernesto spun across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday, then headed into the Gulf of Mexico after forcing the evacuation of thousands of tourists and fishermen from beaches in Tulum and the Costa Maya.

There were no reports of storm deaths or major damage, though Ernesto ripped down billboards, toppled trees and cut electricity as it hit the cruise ship port of Mahahual shortly before midnight Tuesday as a hurricane. It stayed south of the Yucatan’s main resorts around Cancun and the Riviera Maya.