Tropical Storm Fernand carries heavy rains to eastern Mexico

Tropical Storm Fernand generated heavy rains in eastern Mexico and its center moved inland Monday, forecasters said. Fernand, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, was about 95 miles northwest of Veracruz and 65 miles south-southeast of Tuxpan, traveling northwest at 9 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its 8 a.m. EDT advisory. A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Mexico's gulf coast from Veracruz north to Barra de Nautla. Fernand was expected to produce 4-8 inches of rain in the warning area, with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches. On its forecast track, the center of Fernand was to move over Mexico through Monday night and forecasters said they expected it to soon degrade to a tropical depression.