Tropical Storm Arlene makes landfall on Mexican coast

By the CNN Wire Staff

June 30, 2011 11:28 a.m. EDT

 

(CNN) -- Tropical Storm Arlene made landfall along Mexico's Gulf coast early Thursday, the National Hurricane Center reported.
Arlene, the first named storm of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, was moving at about 8 mph, packing sustained winds of 65 mph -- a bit under hurricane status.
The storm was over the Mexican coast near Cabo Rojo at 8 a.m. ET.
"Arlene is expected to continue moving inland over mainland Mexico today," the weather service said. "Weakening is forecast today and Arlene is expected to dissipate on Friday."
Authorities in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, San Luis Potosi and Nuevo Leon braced for heavy rains. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center warned of possible flash floods and mudslides.
"With any storm of this size, it's easy to overlook it and call it insignificant," said CNN meteorologist Chad Myers. "The major effect with this storm will not be wind damage, but will be inland flooding from up to 12 inches of rain in the mountains of Mexico."
In Tamaulipas, rains had already began, and precautions were being taken in the southern part of the state, which is expected to be among the hardest hit, said Adan Moctezuma, spokesman for the state government. An alert had been issued in the region, telling residents to prepare for evacuations if necessary.
Mexican authorities issued warnings as Arlene advanced.
A hurricane warning in Mexico stretches from the eastern coastal town of Barra de Nautla north to La Cruz. Authorities have also issued a tropical storm warning from La Cruz north to La Pesca, and from Palma Sola south to Veracruz.
Myers added that while Mexico's major northeastern city of Monterrey should be just north of the maximum rainfall, Victoria "may be right in the middle of the bull's-eye."
The storm is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain in some areas, while isolated amounts of up to 15 inches could fall in mountainous terrain and could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
Arlene's landfall could spark a storm surge that may raise water levels up to 2 to 4 feet above normal tide markers.

The Atlantic hurricane season spans June 1 to November 30.