Tropical Storm Arlene moving toward Mexico in Gulf

VERACRUZ, Mexico (AP) — The first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season gained force as it headed for Mexico's central Gulf coast Wednesday evening, bringing a threat of floods and mudslides.

Tropical Storm Arlene could become a weak hurricane before hitting land north of the coastal city of Tuxpan early Thursday, said the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Officials in the states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi said they were monitoring the storm and preparing for possible flooding.

The state oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, said it was considering whether to evacuate its oil platforms off the Veracruz coast but had made no public announcement by Wednesday evening.

Rain was falling along the coast ahead of the storm, and officials warned residents about impending winds and rain. Officials said 6 inches (150 millimeters) of rain were possible in northern Veracruz state.

Some mountainous areas could get up to 15 inches of rain, the hurricane center said.

Forecasters said extreme south Texas also could get rain.

The main threat to Mexico comes from heavy rains that could cause flash floods and mudslides in 13 states, the government said.

If heavy rains hit the state of Tamaulipas, they would fall on soil dried out by the most severe drought to hit the area in 50 years. There was still unrepaired damage from Hurricane Alex, which struck the area as a Category 2 hurricane last year.

By Wednesday evening, the storm was centered about 105 miles (170 kilometers) east-northeast of Tuxpan and had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph). It was moving west-northwest near 4 mph (7 kph).

The Mexican government posted a hurricane watch from the tourist zone of Barra de Nautla to La Cruz in Veracruz state. It shifted a tropical storm warning south, from the Veracruz fishing village of La Pesca to Palma Sola.