VERACRUZ,
Mexico (AP) — Tropical Storm Ernesto made landfall Thursday near the
oil port city of Coatzacoalcos, killing two people as it moved inland
and began weakening after drenching Mexico's flood-prone southern Gulf
region.
Ernesto came ashore after spinning across the far southern
Gulf of Mexico in waters dotted with oil rigs operated by the state oil
company. The government closed its largest Gulf coast port, Veracruz,
and the smaller ports of Alvarado and Coatzacoalcos.In neighboring Tabasco state, two fishermen drowned when the stormed passed through the area, Gov. Andres Granier told reporters.
Granier said the storm's strong winds ripped rooftops from several homes but residents refused to evacuate, fearing their possessions might be stolen. "People have chosen to stay in their homes and we are helping them," he said.