Emily Socks Mexico - Again

(CBS/AP)  Hurricane Emily strengthened and slammed into Mexico's northeastern coastline before dawn Wednesday, its 125 mph winds and rain knocking out power, pelting beaches, and forcing thousands along the Gulf of Mexico to seek higher ground.

Outlying sections of the storm also blew heavy rain across extreme South Texas on Wednesday, causing scattered power outages while many residents waited the storm out in shelters.

At 11 a.m. EDT, the storm was centered inland of Mexico's northeast coast, about 75 miles south-southwest of Brownsville, said the National Hurricane Center. It was moving toward the west at 10 mph.

A hurricane warning was dropped but a tropical storm warning was in effect for about 40 miles of the lower Texas coast from the Mexico border to Port Mansfield. Flood and tornado watches were posted for most of South Texas through midday.

The eye of the storm came ashore near San Fernando, Mexico, about 75 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border, and about 85 miles south of Brownsville. Forecasters predicted the storm could dump up to 15 inches of rain as it moves inland over the mountains, causing flash flooding and landslides. There were no immediate reports of deaths or major injuries, but many small communities appeared to have been cut off by the storm.

It was weakening as it moved west, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. A gust to 49 mph was reported in Brownsville, the hurricane center said.

In San Fernando, a community of 60,000 slightly inland, the storm shredded metal roofs and shattered a bank's plate-glass windows, leaving window blinds to dance in the wind.

The American Red Cross estimated about 4,000 people packed up their televisions, video games and coolers of drinks and snacks and settled into the 14 shelters set up across south Texas.

"Why take a risk?" asked Zulema Longoria, 43, one of about 160 people spending the night at a shelter in Elma E. Barrera Elementary.

Cindy Ruiz went to the school with 12 relatives, including her husband and eight children.

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