Tropical storm Hermine spinning towards US-Mexico border

The growing storm is believed to be keeping clear of the major oil and natural gas installations in the Gulf of Mexico. Energy companies said the storm had no effect on their operations.

The US National Hurricane Centre based in Miami warned that heavy rain may be nearing the coastal region and would pack a surge of 2 to 4 feet, potentially causing deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

At 9:00pm local time (4.00pm CDT), Hermine was around 165 km southeast of Brownsville, Texas, and moving north-northwest at 24kph. It had maximum sustained winds of 95kph.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from La Cruz, Mexico, to Port O'Connor, Texas, while a hurricane watch was in effect from Rio San Fernando Mexico, to Baffin Bay, Texas.

Another Hurricane, named Alex, hit northeastern Mexico in July, which left 12 people dead and caused heavy flooding in the business capital of Monterrey. Damage from the storm was estimated at $700 million.

In the Atlantic, the remnant of Tropical storm Gaston continued to move west, and will possibly form a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Experts announced concern that if Gaston travels further west, it could get close to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic of Haiti.

The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, currently in its peak time.