MIAMI, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Hurricane Lili rolled over western Cuba with torrential rains and into the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday as it quickly intensified into a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds.
If the forecasts hold up, the storm was headed for landfall between Houston and New Orleans Thursday as a dangerous Category 3 storm with winds of more than 110 mph.
A hurricane watch was posted for the northern Gulf Coast from St. Louis Pass, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the area within 36 hours.
A tropical storm watch was called for a coastal stretch from the mouth of the Mississippi to Pascagoula, Miss. A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Cuban provinces of Matanzas, Havana, Pinar Del Rio and the Isle of Youth.
Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center, said the storm suffered a little by its interaction with Cuba.
"Probably about Wednesday night, tropical storm force winds will start approaching the Gulf Coast. The center of the hurricane -- on our track -- should be approaching the Louisiana coast Thursday night," Mayfield said. "This is going to be a hurricane when it strikes the coast as opposed to Isidore, which was a tropical storm."
Isidore hit near New Orleans and caused severe flooding in several areas. Cuba got its second pounding by a hurricane in two weeks. Isidore hit the island nation 10 days ago and once again more than 100,000 people had to be evacuated.
Lili has been blamed for seven deaths, so far. Three people were swept away by floodwaters in Jamaica on Sunday, and four died last week when Lili hit St. Vincent.
At 5 p.m. EDT, Lili was located at latitude 22.7 north, longitude 85.0 west. That's 55 miles north of Cabo san Antonio, Cuba, and 600 miles south of New Orleans.
Hurricane force winds extend out 40 miles and tropical storm force winds have been clocked 155 miles from the center.
Lili was moving toward the northwest at 15 mph.
"Storm surge flooding along the western coasts of Cuba should decrease tonight," forecaster Jack Beven said.
"Rainfall accumulations of 8-12 inches with isolated higher amounts are likely near the path of Lili. These rains could cause life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides in mountainous areas of Cuba."
Meanwhile, Kyle regained tropical storm strength 260 miles south-southeast of Bermuda after being downgraded to a depression Monday. A tropical storm watch was dropped for the island.
At 5 p.m., Kyle was located at latitude 28.5 north, longitude 67.5 west. It was virtually stationary with winds of 45 mph.
