MIAMI (AP) _ Forecasters say Alex is again a tropical storm as it moved into the Gulf of Mexico and may become a hurricane as it swirls toward Mexico’s east coast.
Forecasters say the storm still is not on track to hit the oil spill on the northeastern end of the Gulf. Maximum sustained winds Sunday night were 45 mph (75 kph).
Alex had weakened to a depression across Belize and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It dumped rains that left at least four people dead across the region; but the warmer Gulf waters added energy to the storm.
The National Hurricane Center says Alex is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain over the peninsula, southern Mexico and Guatemala through Tuesday. Up to 15 inches are possible over the mountains. The rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.