Storm hits Mexico coast

on 18/08/2012 15:17:17

Tropical storm Helene headed north along Mexico's Gulf coast early today, posing a threat to areas where thousands of people were still recovering from flooding spawned last week by hurricane Ernesto.

The US National Hurricane Centre said Helene sprang up Friday then weakened to barely tropical storm strength by night time, but its forecast said the storm could strengthen again before making an expected landfall today.

Helene had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving northwest at 7mph late Friday. It was centred about 65 miles east of Tuxpan.

Landfall was predicted for the northern part of Veracruz, a lush coastal state with hundreds of towns and villages sitting along streams and rivers that can swell dangerously in heavy rain.