Hurricane Grace Recap: Heavy Rain, Strong Winds, Flooding, Mudslides Spread Across Caribbean Into Mexico

Tropical Depression Seven formed Aug. 13 and strengthened into Tropical Storm Grace on Aug. 14 when it was east of the Leeward Islands. Grace moved through the northern Leeward Islands with heavy rain and gusty winds.

Grace continued tracking westward and brought heavy rain and gusty winds to Hispaniola, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Wind gusts over 70 mph were measured on Grand Cayman the morning of Aug. 18.

(MORE: Grace Dumps Heavy Rain on Haiti Earthquake Victims)

Grace's first landfall occurred near Tulum, Mexico, at 4:45 a.m. CDT on Thursday morning. It roared ashore with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.

Winds gusts between 60 to 80 mph were clocked in the Yucatan, including from Cancun to Cozumel Thursday morning. A sustained wind of 47 mph was measured in Merida, Mexico, on the northwestern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. A wind gust to 73 mph was also measured. Trees and powerlines were downed and more than 700,000 people lost power.

Grace made its final landfall around 1 a.m. CDT Aug. 21 about 30 miles south-southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico, as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.

Heavy rain resulted in flooding and mudslides and at least eight people died from the storm in Veracruz state. More than 300,000 people lost power due to Grace.

Grace quickly weakened as it moved inland and dissipated. However, its moisture and spin helped form Tropical Storm Marty in the eastern Pacific.

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