Tropical storm Arlene, the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, is making its way to Mexico.
The storm is not expected to reach hurricane strength and will make landfall in the east-coast city of Tampico today as a near-hurricane-strength tropical storm, according to risk modelling firm AIR Worldwide.
“The main threat Arlene poses is heavy rain that could bring life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in the mountains inland from Tampico,” said Dr. Tim Doggett, principal scientist, AIR Worldwide. “Heavy rain is also expected in southernmost Texas near Brownsville and along the Rio Grande Valley.”
Storm surge from Arlene could raise sea levels up to two to four feet above normal in many areas, AIR said, and the storm is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of four to eight inches in parts of the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and eastern San Luis Potosi. Over the inland mountains, as much as 15 inches of rain could fall in isolated areas, the company added.
However, AIR pointed out that the construction of insured residential and commercial properties should fare well against Arlene's wind speeds - currently about 50 miles per hour. "Structural damage should be minimal," the company said.
Mexico has already been grazed by the first Pacific hurricane of the the year.
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