Acapulco area on hurricane watch as storm forms Carlotta now at 50 mph; up to foot of rain could trigger floods, mudslides

Acapulco area on hurricane watch as storm forms msnbc.com 6/14/2012 2:41:09 PM ET

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Tropical Storm Carlotta formed off Mexico's Pacific Coast overnight and is likely to make landfall Friday as a hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported Thursday.

Hurricane alerts were issued for part of the country's Pacific coast, from Acapulco to Salina Cruz.

With sustained winds now at 50 mph, Carlotta was expected to continue building strength, the hurricane center stated.

Flash floods and mudslides were feared with the forecast of 3-5 inches of rain in Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas -- and the possibility of up to 12 inches in some spots.

Carlotta is the third named storm of the Pacific hurricane season.

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