Tropical depression forms off Gulf coast of Mexico

9/1/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS

MIAMI — Forecasters say a tropical depression has formed off the Gulf coast of Mexico with tropical storm warnings issued from Tuxpan in the state of Veracruz north to La Pesca.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says maximum sustained winds are at 30 mph (45 kph) this afternoon. The storm is about 240 miles (390 kilometers) east of Tuxpan. It is moving west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph).

The center of the storm is expected to approach the coast by Tuesday night with some strengthening forecast.

The storm is expected to dump 3 to 6 inches of rain with 10 inches possible across southern Tampaulipas, northern Veracruz and eastern San Luis Potosi through Wednesday. The rain could cause flash floods and mud slides.