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Newton responsible for at least 5 deaths; storm pushes rains into U.S. Southwest

Two people died on a fishing boat and three others died near Acapulco.

By Andrew V. Pestano and Doug G. Ware
Post-tropical cyclone Newton, seen in this image in the bottom left portion, is expected to weaken as it moves inland on Wednesday -- eventually becoming a tropical depression and dissipating on Thursday. Image courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Post-tropical cyclone Newton, seen in this image in the bottom left portion, is expected to weaken as it moves inland on Wednesday -- eventually becoming a tropical depression and dissipating on Thursday. Image courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

MIAMI, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Post-tropical cyclone Newton continued its push northeast on Wednesday after striking Mexico's Pacific coast again, killing at least five people and pushing rains into the southwestern United States.

A shrimp boat capsized in the Gulf of California amid rough seas, killing two and leaving three missing. BBC News reported that officials said the five boaters ignored warnings against going out to sea.

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Elsewhere in Mexico, at least two others were also killed in Chiapas state, near Acapulco, before the storm arrived in the Baja peninsula.

Newton is expected to generate up to 3 inches of rain in the central part of the Baja California peninsula. Mexico's Sonora state is expected to see rain accumulation up to 6 inches -- possibly 10 inches in isolated areas.

Post-tropical cyclone Newton is seen in this satellite image from the National Hurricane Center over southern Arizona and parts of New Mexico. Image courtesy National Hurricane Center

Light rain fell in southern parts of Arizona and New Mexico on Wednesday, ahead of Newton's main thrust. Flash flood warnings were issued for some parts of the states, which are expected to get from 1 inch to 3 inches of total rain through Thursday, forecasters said.

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Heavier rainfall may trigger landslides and create life-threatening conditions for residents near the Mexico border, the National Hurricane Center said.

Forecasters continued to issue watches and advisories for areas in Newton's path that are expected to see heavy rains in the coming days.

RELATED Tuesday: Hurricane Newton whips Los Cabos resorts as it heads for U.S.

Earlier Wednesday, the storm system recorded maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and was moving north at a speed of 17 mph. Newton, however, will continue to weaken as it moves over land.

"Rapid weakening will occur today as the center moves inland, and Newton should weaken to a tropical depression later today and dissipate by early Thursday," the NHC said in a statement.

Newton struck near Los Cabos, Mexico, on Tuesday as a category 1 hurricane. Authorities are still trying to assess the infrastructure damage.

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