Grace heads for a second hurricane hit on Mexican coast

Hurricane Grace has been temporarily knocked back to tropical storm force, but it's expected to regain hurricane strength Friday as it heads for a second landfall in Mexico

TULUM, Mexico -- Hurricane Grace — temporarily knocked back to tropical storm force — headed Friday for a second landfall in Mexico, this time taking aim at the mainland's Gulf coast after crashing through the country's main tourist strip. The storm lost punch as it zipped across the Yucatan Peninsula, but it emerged late Thursday over the relatively warm Gulf of Mexico and was gaining energy. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Grace's winds were back up to 65 mph (100 kph) and were expected to soon regain hurricane force. It was centered about 360 miles (580 kilometers) east of Tuxpan and was heading werst at 16 mph (26 kph). The forecast track would take it toward a coastal region of small fishing towns and beach resorts between Tuxpan and Veracruz, likely Friday night or early Saturday, then over a mountain range toward the heart of the country and the greater Mexico City region.