MIAMI, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Tropical storm Isidore emerged over the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday after pounding the Yucatan, and began a trek toward the Texas-Louisiana coast with winds of 60 mph that were expected to strengthen.
Tropical storm Lili was carrying its 70 mph winds west across the eastern Caribbean Sea after racing across the Windward Islands. A tropical storm watch was issued for the southern coast of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Both storms could pose a threat to the U.S. mainland as hurricanes later in the week, particularly Isidore.
A hurricane watch was called along the northern Gulf Coast from Cameron, La., to Pascagoula, Miss. A watch means hurricane conditions are possible during the next 36 hours.
A tropical storm warning -- meaning one is expected in the next 24 hours -- was called for the coast from High Island, Texas, to Destin, Fla.
Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center, said Isidore's core is forecast to move ashore "very early Thursday morning" but it won't be as strong as it was.
"It's nowhere near what it was two or three days ago. It was a very, very powerful storm, but it has weakened," Mayfield said. "We are forecasting for it to be a hurricane but not a major hurricane."
A tropical storm warning remained in effect along the Mexican Gulf Coast from Cabo Catoche to Veracruz.
At 2 p.m. EDT, a hurricane hunter aircraft found the center of Isidore at latitude 22.2 north, longitude 89.9 west or about 85 miles north northwest of Merida, Mexico. Isidore was headed northwest at 5 mph.
"Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Isidore could reach hurricane status once again," forecaster Lixion Avila said.
"Isidore is a large storm with a circulation covering much of the Gulf of Mexico," Avila said. "Squalls with winds to tropical storm force have been reported at the mouth of the Mississippi River during the past two hours."
Rain continued to pelt Mexico and northern Central America and additional amounts of 5-10 inches are expected. More storm surge flooding also was expected.
Isidore caused two deaths, drove tens of thousands of people from their homes on the Yucatan peninsula, toppled trees and knocked out power. Yucatan Gov. Patricio Patron said communications were still so bad, officials are still trying assess damage.
Lili was located near latitude 13.2 north, longitude 66.0 west or about 435 miles southeast of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic at 2 p.m. EDT. It was moving west near 13 mph with a turn toward the west-northwest and a slower pace expected later in the day. It could reach Haiti Thursday, if the forecast turn takes place.
If Lili remains on that course it could go on to threaten Cuba and Florida.
Some strengthening was expected and it could become a hurricane Wednesday.
Tropical storm Kyle presented few problems. It was located at 5 a.m. at latitude 30.3 north, longitude 51.1 or about 815 miles east-southeast of Bermuda. It was moving southwest at 8 mph with top winds of 50 mph that were expected to strengthen.
