Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center are watching Tropical Depression Cristobal, currently in the southern Gulf of Mexico but expected to hit the southern United States as a tropical storm by Sunday.
Cristobal made landfall Wednesday on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, in the Mexican state of Campeche, dumping heavy rain on the already soaked region. The NHS reported the storm produced life-threatening flooding in parts of the region.
While the storm weakened to a tropical depression, it is expected to strengthen Friday as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico.
Tropical storm watches — meaning there is a good chance tropical storm conditions could develop — are in effect in the U.S. states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and western Florida.
Forecasters say strong winds, heavy rain, and life-threatening storm surges are possible as early as Saturday.
