MEXICO: Tropical storm Arlene drenches large parts of central Mexico with torrential rains and strong winds
Record ID:
303888
MEXICO: Tropical storm Arlene drenches large parts of central Mexico with torrential rains and strong winds
- Title: MEXICO: Tropical storm Arlene drenches large parts of central Mexico with torrential rains and strong winds
- Date: 1st July 2011
- Summary: TUXPAN, VERACRUZ, MEXICO (JUNE 30, 2011) (REUTERS) (NIGHTSOHTS) VARIOUS OF PALM TREES SHAKING VIOLENTLY BY STRONG WIND AND RAIN BOAT IN HARBOUR IN CHOPPY WATER EMPTY RESTAURANT AT HARBOUR WITH RAIN FALLING VARIOUS OF SING BEING BLOWN BY WIND VARIOUS OF CHOPPY WATER IN SEA VIEW OF RAIN CALLING ON STREET CARS AND PEOPLE ON STREET IN HEAVY RAIN VARIOUS OF TREE BLOWING VIOLENTLY IN THE WIND CHOPPY WATER VARIOUS OF BRIDGE TUXPAN, VERACRUZ, MEXICO (JUNE 29, 2011) (REUTERS) (NIGHTSHOTS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BUYING SUPPLIES AT SUPERMARKET AHEAD OF STORM ARRIVAL (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TUXPAN RESIDENT JAIME HERNANDEZ, SAYING: "We are getting supplies of what we need, basic foodstuffs, batteries, pet food, and looking after important documents and having them at hand." TUXPAN, VERACRUZ, MEXICO (JUNE 30, 2011) (REUTERS) (NIGHTSHOTS) PEOPLE ON STREET DURING STORM VARIOUS OF TREE UPROOTED BY STORM MORE OF PEOPLE IN STREET, SOME WEARING HARDHATS FOR PROTECTION TRAFFIC LIGHT IN RAIN SIGN BLOWING IN WIND VARIOUS OF PALM TREES IN WIND
- Embargoed: 16th July 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mexico, Mexico
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
- Reuters ID: LVABM1JTC87QLG76QJWQZCBOO4RW
- Story Text: Large parts of central Mexico were facing torrential rains as Arlene, the first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, neared the coast early on Thursday (June 30).
Mexican emergency services advised communities in the storm's direct path evacuate and state oil monopoly Pemex was on alert for possible impact to refineries and other facilities in the storm's path.
However, the storm is seen unlikely to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall and is not expected to hit major offshore oil fields directly, according to forecasts from the U.S. National Hurricane Center. But the agency said some strengthening could still occur.
Mexican authorities said the storm was expected to be 435 miles (700 km) wide and drench parts of central Mexico by Saturday, affecting areas as far away as the Pacific coast.
Arlene, moving west, had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) and was located 50 miles (80 km) east of the fishing town of Tuxpan in Veracruz state on Thursday morning, the NHC said.
Television images from Tuxpan on Thursday showed heavy rains hitting the town along with heavy rains.
Tuxpan resident Jaime Hernandez said he had been making preparations ahead of the storms arrival.
"We are getting supplies of what we need, basic foodstuffs, batteries, pet food, and looking after important documents and having them at hand," he said.
Strong winds and rain of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) are expected to batter the eastern Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and eastern San Luis Potosi and reach Mexico City by Friday.
Local emergency services said about 200,000 people were exposed to the storm's worst impact.
Mexico's government extended its Gulf Coast hurricane watch from La Cruz southward to the beach area Barra de Nautla in Veracruz, which is about 200 miles (320 km) south of Tampico, where Pemex has its 190,000-barrel-per-day Madero refinery.
Pemex said the Madero refinery was operating as usual but it had taken the precaution of securing tankers and smaller boats at the adjoining port and was prepared to take further measures as needed.
Mexico is a top oil exporter to the United States and almost all its exports are shipped to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast from three Gulf of Mexico ports: Dos Bocas, Cayo Arcas and Coatzacoalcos.
Mexico's northeastern Atlantic coast is popular with local tourists for its beaches but many poor coastal towns lack flood defenses. The rains could bring some relief to farmers planting sugar cane, sorghum and fruit trees in the area who have been suffering from a prolonged dry spell.
Mexico was hit by Hurricane Beatriz, the second tropical storm of the Pacific season, last week but the weather system did no major damage. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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