Two major weather systems are bringing heavy rain, high winds and more to Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on one side and the Caribbean on the other. struck late Monday with life-threatening flood potential after growing into a Category 3 hurricane in a matter of hours. It came ashore near the town of Punta Maldonado before weakening back to tropical storm status early Tuesday and was expected to weaken rapidly.
Still, the U.S. National Hurricane Center warned that the storm’s slow pace and heavy rains could cause potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Helene formed in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday after bringing heavy rains and big waves . Forecasters warned the storm is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane en route to the southeast U.S.
Hurricane watches were in effect for Florida’s Tampa Bay and from Englewood to Indian Pass, as well as for eastern Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum and for Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province. Follow AP’s coverage of tropical weather at . Here’s the latest: Tropical Storm Helene forms in the Caribbean Sea MIAMI — Tropical Storm Helene formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea and will strengthen into a major hurricane while moving north toward the U.
S., forecasters said. for parts of Cuba, Mexico and a stretch of the Florida coastline, including Tampa Bay, the U.
S. National Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of the Florida Keys.
The storm was located .