Franklin becomes first hurricane of 2017 Atlantic season, aims for Mexico's Gulf coast

MEXICO CITY – Franklin has became the first hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic season.

The center of Hurricane Franklin was located near latitude 20.1 north, longitude 94.9 west. Franklin is moving toward the west near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue for the next day or so. On the forecast track, the center of Franklin is expected to cross the coast in the Mexican state of Veracruz Wednesday night or early Thursday.

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The storm took aim at Mexico's central Gulf coast after a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is expected until the center crosses the coast. Rapid weakening is expected after landfall in Mexico.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb (29.06 inches).

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Franklin began gaining strength after getting over open water again, with its maximum sustained winds quickly rising to 70 mph (110 kph) Wednesday. The storm was expected to gain more power as it moved across the lower reaches of the southern Gulf of Mexico.

A hurricane warning was in effect for Mexico's coast from Veracruz city north to Cabo Rojo. A tropical storm warning extended east to Puerto Dos Bocas and north to Barra del Tordo in southern Tamaulipas state.

Mexico Civil Protection director Ricardo de la Cruz said Tuesday that the storm's impact on Yucatan was not as bad as initially feared, with some trees down and power out in some areas. But, he warned, "The second impact could even be stronger than the first."

Forecasters said Franklin's rains could cause flash floods and mudslides in the mountains of central Mexico. Four to eight inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain were forecast for mainland areas in the storm's path, with localized amounts of up to 15 inches (38 centimeters).

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