Katia dissipates over Mexico but heavy rainfall continues
Katia, at one point a Category 2 hurricane, dissipated over eastern Mexico Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm made landfall Friday night north of Tecolutla, Mexico. The storm weakened as it moved west, and its remnants are now located near Hidalgo. There are maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, but higher gusts possible.
The remnants of Katia are expected to produce additional rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches over central and northern Veracruz, eastern Hidalgo, and northern Puebla through this afternoon. Isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches are possible. This rainfall will continue the risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain.
Katia formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, as the powerful Hurricane Irma moved on its destructive path through the Caribbean with Hurricane Jose not far behind.
Meanwhile, a powerful 8.1 quake struck about 100 miles from Chiapas' Pacific coast, killing at least 58 people. The western shore was also battered by Tropical Storm Lidia on Aug. 31, which killed several people in the southern Baja California peninsula.
