Olivia Becomes a Hurricane

Day #4: Mexican Flooding

Storm Turns North 

OLIVIA TURNS NORTH, DUMPS HEAVY RAIN
Flooding kills seven and forces thousands from their homes in Mexico

Tue. Morning , October 3, 1995
The Associated Press

MEXICO CITY - Olivia has now become a hurricane and has turned north on a path toward the United States. Forecasters say they will likely issue a hurricane watch this morning for parts of the U.S. gulf coast.

The slow-moving storm has now grown into the ninth hurricane of the Atlantic tropical storm season. Olivia now carries sustained winds of 80 mph and gusts of 87 mph.

At 8 a.m., Olivia's center was in the Gulf of Mexico about 475 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Olivia's coordinates are 21.1 North Latitude, 92.5 West Longitude. The storm is packing winds of 75 mph and is moving north at 8 mph.

Meteorologist Mike Hopkins said in Miami that Olivia was expected to strengthen over warm gulf waters. Forecasters say a hurricane watch will likely be issued this morning for coastal areas from Louisiana to northwest Florida.

A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions could hit within 36 hours.

In Louisiana, the state's only inhabited barrier island, Grand Isle, is back on alert. Mayor Andy Valence said residents were "ready to evacuate at a moment's notice."

Mayors in other Gulf Coast cities are also watching the storm closely.

Olivia has already caused extensive flooding in Mexico, forcing tens of thousands of coastal dwellers from their homes.

At least seven people are dead and 20 missing in Olivia's flood waters in Mexico's Tabasco state. Twelve-foot waves were reported in Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Most commercial and fishing ports were closed, as were some airports.

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