Hurricane watch issued for coasts of Mexico, Texas

MIAMI, United States — A hurricane watch has been issued for the coasts of Texas and Mexico in the Gulf as Tropical Storm Hermine approaches.

The hurricane watch issued today covers the area from Rio San Fernando, Mexico, northward to Baffin Bay in Texas.

Hermine's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 miles per hour (80 kilometres per hour). Additional strengthening is expected and the storm could approach hurricane strength before making landfall.

Hermine is located about 205 miles (330km) south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas, and is moving north-northwest near 13 mph (21 km/h).

Heavy rain is predicted with northeastern Mexico into south Texas getting 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimetres) with as much as a foot in some places. It could cause flash floods and mudslides.

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