Costa Maya News

Tropical storm Arthur hits Yucatan

Strong winds of the tropical storm Arthur hit the Chetumal Bay, Quinta Roo, Sunday June 1, 2008.

Tropical Storm Arthur weakened to a dissipating depression Sunday after soaking the Yucatan Peninsula. But heavy rains still threatened to cause dangerous flooding and mudslides in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned that remnants of the first named storm of the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season could rain a total of 5 inches to 10 inches (12 to 25 centimeters) across portions of Belize, Guatemala and southeastern Mexico, with isolated rainfall up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) possible.

At 11 p.m. EDT, the center of the dissipating storm was located inland near the northwestern border of Guatemala and Mexico, about 95 miles south-southeast of Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico.

It was moving southwest at about 6 mph (10 kph). Maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph (50 kph).

Forecasters predicted it would stay inland and well away from the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Arthur formed Saturday afternoon - one day before the official start of the season June 1 - and quickly made landfall at the Belize-Mexico border before heading west.

Back 01.06.2008.