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Storm to hit Mexico's Gulf coast

VERACRUZ (MEXICO): Tropical Storm Stan strengthened to a hurricane early on Tuesday and barrelled toward Mexico's Gulf coast, threatening a major port and forcing the evacuation of several oil platforms.

Forecasters said the storm was indirectly causing rain in Central America that had sparked flooding and landslips, leaving at least 31 persons dead in El Salvador. Rain was still falling on Tuesday in much of Central America, driving thousands from their homes in El Salvador and Guatemala.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Stan was expected to hit a swampy, sparsely populated area of coastline later Tuesday. However, the storm will likely swipe Veracruz, a busy port 295 km east of Mexico City.

A hurricane warning was issued for part of the Gulf coastline, from Palma Sola southeast to Chilitepec. Some trees were uprooted and officials reported scattered power outages as the storm's outer bands reached the coast. — AP

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