Stan was a Category 1 hurricane as it came ashore on southern Mexico’s Gulf Coast. It carried with it the usual strong winds and rain associated with low-intensity hurricanes. Still, Mexican authories took the storm seriously, evacuating some Gulf oil platforms and shutting down facilities along the coastline around Veracruz, the nearest major city to the landfall area. Some evacuations along coastal towns were also ordered. The storm was blamed for 35 deaths in Central America as it crossed the Yucatan Peninsula, many as a result of landslides from the substantial rain that fell over several days. Mexico City, more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) away from the point of landfall, received rain from Stan’s outer cloud bands.