MEXICAN WALKS OFF BEACH AS HURRICANE ISIDORE APPROACHES THE COAST, 2002-09-22 (photo)

A Puerto Progresos resident walks off the beach as Hurricane Isidore approaches the coast with strong winds, September 22, 2002 in Merida, in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Powerfully but slowly, Hurricane Isidore bore down Sunday on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, famous for its Mayan ruins and upscale beach resorts, with lashing rains and huge sea swells forcing the evacuation of 15,500 people from coastal fishing villages. After battering and flooding western Cuba, officials said Isidore could dump 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm) of rain on the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. REUTERS/Henry Romero HR/HB