Tropical storm Jose nears Mexican coast in Gulf

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Jose, the 10th tropical storm of an
unusually active Atlantic hurricane season, dumped heavy rain
in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and was expected to make
landfall overnight near the port of Veracruz, authorities said.

None of Mexico’s key oil ports farther southwest was closed
to shipping, the Transport Ministry said.

Miami’s National Hurricane Center said Jose, packing
sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and higher gusts, was
expected to strengthen before making landfall.

Rains of up to 10 inches can be expected on higher ground
once the storm hits land, the center said. “These storms could
cause life threatening flash floods and mud slides.”

It said a tropical storm warning was in place for a wide
swathe of the Gulf coast, from Veracruz northwards to Cabo
Rojo, which is south of Tampico port.