Pamela is expected to intensify into a cyclone with life-threatening flooding

 

Pamela is expected to intensify into a cyclone with life-threatening flooding

Tropical Storm Pamela is expected to be "close to major hurricane strength" when it makes landfall Wednesday morning on Mexico's central west coast. The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday in a public warning. The storm is expected to bring "life-threatening" storm surge, dangerous winds, and torrential rains and threaten "large and life-threatening floods and mudslides" across the affected areas.

Pamela is in the Pacific Ocean, heading north, and expected to continue the general trend throughout the afternoon, followed by a faster northeast movement Tuesday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm's maximum sustained winds are approximately 80 miles per hour with higher gusts. The center expects "steady reinforcement" to occur Tuesday night through early Wednesday morning. The storm is expected to pass south of the southern tip of Baja California Tuesday night before descending in Bahia Tempehuaia to Esquinaba - which is currently under a hurricane warning - in western central Mexico.

"Pamela could be close to the strength of a major hurricane when it reaches the coast of Mexico on Wednesday morning," the center said.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for north of Bahia Tempihuaia to Altata, south of Esquinaba to Cabo Corrientes and Islas Marias. Tropical Storm watch valid from

According to the forecast, parts of central Texas and southeastern Oklahoma are expected to see heavy hurricane-related rain late Wednesday and Thursday, which could lead to flash flooding in urban areas. The center said a total isolated maximum of 8 inches of precipitation in the area is possible.

A potentially severe rain event begins today through Thursday over the Central/Southern Plains. Increased tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean will result in widespread storms likely to produce several inches of heavy, intense rainfall.

The center advised residents in affected areas to consult their local meteorological offices in preparation for "life-threatening surf and current conditions," as well as "large and destructive" storm waves that could cause coastal flooding.